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14 messages

Thought for the Day (July 12)

12 Jul 99 - 09:28 AM (#94370)
Subject: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: Peter T.

ON DEATH, WITHOUT EXAGGERATION

It can't take a joke,
find a star, make a bridge.
It knows nothing about weaving, mining, farming,
building ships, or baking cakes.

It can't even get the things done
that are part of its trade:
dig a grave,
make a coffin,
clean up after itself.

Preoccupied with killing,
It does the job awkwardly,
without system or skill.
As though each of us were its first kill.

Oh, it has its triumphs,
but look at its countless defeats,
missed blows
and repeat attempts!

Whoever claims that it is omnipotent
Is living proof
that it is not.

There's no life
That couldn't be immortal
if only for a moment.

Death
always arrives by that very moment too late.

In vain it tugs at the knob
of the invisible door.
As far as you've come
can't be undone.

--Wislawa Szymborska (Polish poet, winner of Nobel Prize, 1996). abridged.


12 Jul 99 - 09:37 AM (#94374)
Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: Art Thieme

" Pigs ate my roses!"------Lenny Bruce


12 Jul 99 - 09:46 AM (#94376)
Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: catspaw49

"If you can take the hot lead enema, you can cast the first stone." ........also Lenny Bruce


12 Jul 99 - 12:28 PM (#94418)
Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: Lesley N.

Nothing is quite as funny as the unintended humor of reality - Steven Allen


12 Jul 99 - 12:49 PM (#94422)
Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: Allan C.

"Death and taxes are both certain...but death isn't annual." -Anon.


12 Jul 99 - 01:06 PM (#94428)
Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: The Shambles

The best cure for the ageing process, die young.


12 Jul 99 - 01:26 PM (#94435)
Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: Night Owl

Shambles....could you please define "young" ????????


12 Jul 99 - 01:32 PM (#94439)
Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: The Shambles

Before the media and the advertisers get you to think you need the anti-wrinkle creams?


12 Jul 99 - 01:40 PM (#94441)
Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: Night Owl

hmmm....may need some more work defining. Just listening to Stan Rogers song "Lies". Do you know the song?? Useful information!! :o)


12 Jul 99 - 02:41 PM (#94454)
Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: The Shambles

Thanks, I will look it up.

Spooky or what though? When I got into my car just now, the track that played was Mark Graham singing Laura Nyro's 'And When I Die'?


12 Jul 99 - 02:45 PM (#94457)
Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: The Shambles

AND WHEN I DIE


12 Jul 99 - 05:18 PM (#94497)
Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: The Shambles

Night Owl.

Did you see this song, one the subject of ageing? Autumn Gold


13 Jul 99 - 12:03 AM (#94640)
Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: Night Owl

Shambles...I remember the song from when you first posted...."a few branches gone...but the heartwood's still strong". The words stuck with me....ditto to Kat's comments on that thread!!!


13 Jul 99 - 12:15 AM (#94646)
Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (July 12)
From: Cap't Bob

"My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But, ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!"

Edna St. Vincent Millay