Monday, May 26, 2008

Oblivion

…There are certain events in life to which the only response is to fold one’s hands, bow one’s head and remain silent. It is not that words are inadequate. It is simply that they cannot be heard by the one to whom they are addressed. That is the first lesson. It is hard and pure. Whether you wish to learn it or not is irrelevant. You will be taught.

You may of course feel compelled to scream or perhaps being of a more gentle nature to sob. These sounds though wordless are also inadequate. You may cease your wordless sounds early or late after the event. The timing of your silence matters not.

For some it is possible after the folding of the hands, after the bowing of the head, after the silence, or after the useless sounds, to see and to touch.

This seeing may last for hours. In some cases it may last for days. But what you see is obscured by what you cannot see. You cannot see for example a smile. You cannot see a particular movement of the head. In fact, you cannot see any movement, however long you look. And they will not let you look for too long. That is the second lesson. There is rarely habeas corpus beyond the grave.

You want to touch. And you can touch. But what you touch is precious to you not because of what it is but because of what it was. And was and is now signify everything. Was alive and is dead.

-Josephine Hart

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