As we all know, unless we are hiding in a cave somewhere pretending to be a pot of jam, David Bowie died recently. He was not, to be honest, my favourite musician of all time but I love some of his music and he was an undeniably talented man who interacted with the world around him almost until his last breath: something I admire deeply. He reminds me of the urgent, telling words of Dylan Thomas,
“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
On many levels, Bowie was a deeply private and unknowable character and his cremation pretty much took place in secret, and in as unmarked a manner as he could manage, but his desire to understand, create and communicate through music was undimmed almost until his last breath. He reminded me of something I wrote a couple of years ago, ( Who Inspires You Sept 2013 ) which a nice person drew my attention to recently: I repeat it here-
“I want to know what everything is, and nothing is; the beauty of a note and the silence which surrounds it. I like to know and understand myself, and those whom I meet, or nearly meet. I am conscious that I will not always be conscious: that my curiosity is unlimited but my time is finite, and I cannot waste a moment of it in acquiring things which will not make me richer in a way I value.
The amusing thing is many would consider me as living in la la land, where poetry is a secret form of currency, and music a mode of transport which might carry me to lands and vistas invisible to the naked eye: to where angels might dwell and we begin to forgive and truly understand the love which passes all understanding. I can live with the opinions of the “many”, but I cannot live without my imagination.”
One of the great temptations of life is to lose sight of the beauty of the whole, or the mystery of an instant amidst the mass of worries, jealousies and insecurities which crowd in on the average day, including mine, but while I have a breath to draw I will, whatever my circumstances, raise my eyes in wonder to the horizon and marvel at the miracle of consciousness.
Lovely – I have to agree with every sentiment here expressed.
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This brought tears to my eyes. Just lovely.
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I think that you have expressed this most eloquently and sensitively, Peter. I echo your sentiments and your words are something to live by. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on the otherhood of one and commented:
Peter, your thoughts are profound, your words eloquent, and your timing perfect! Stuck in your last paragraph myself today, I truly needed to read these beautiful words, so I reblogged them to keep them close… Thank you for giving me the courage and motivation to go forth one more day… 🙂
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Amen. Amen.
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Brilliant and beautiful. I shall treasure your words. Thank you xxxx
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Yes truly and that’s the way to move forward and not stuck.
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Reblogged this on Ladywithatruck's Blog and commented:
I love Peter’s writing but he managed to out do himself with this piece.
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Thank you Peter. beautifully written as always. Hugs xxoo
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And *that* is truly the secret of life and breath itself. I shall reblog this one, Peter. I want to know where it is, always.
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Reblogged this on Victoria Adams' Reading Alcove and commented:
From a dear friend of mine who, quite frankly, “nailed it.”
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A moving tribute and very different. I alway think of the David Bowie song Sound and Vision, while perhaps not his best, but as truly encapsulating what he stood for. This blog really captures that vision.
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Pingback: David Bowie And Thoughts On Life – The Disobedient Author
Wonderful quote from Bowie, and beautifully expressed by yourself, Peter, especially the last paragraph. Let us keep poetry and music alive, and offer a little of that “la-la land” to others.
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The “quote” is actually mine from a previous blog post, “Who Inspires You” written in September 2013 but I thought it encapsulated the attitude of someone who sees life as a creative experience
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Oh, my apologies, Peter! Well, it is excellent and I am not surprised at all that you penned it.
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Lovely tribute to a true talent as well as all creatives.
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Reblogged this on Travels with Tio and commented:
a beautiful tribute to a creative genius and the creative process from Peter Wells, himself a marvelous creative talent.
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Just amazing Peter…love it…and totally moved me to tears! Cheers to “raise my eyes in wonder to the horizon and marvel at the miracle of consciousness!”
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how utterly wonderful, peter.
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Reblogged this on What I write and commented:
This expresses my thinking about life and my place in it. Peter Wells, thank you for writing and sharing it.
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Interesting words..I”ve always thought, in a corner of my mind somewhere, how funny it is that people have to work so hard at ‘being’, because we know we are and we know it’s all going to end sooner than we would like. So we’re all frantically thinking, how do we best use this time? Life is short! The curse and the joy of being human, I guess.
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Beautifully expressed, Peter.
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Nothing enforces mortality more clearly than the death of famous person. Especially when you realize they are younger than you. Everyday is a gift, so unwrap it slowly and adoringly.
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Very nicely said 🙂
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Peter this was just lovely. You’ve expressed yourself simply beautifully.
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Beautiful reflection and it talks to me loud and clear. It’s been a weird week. I’m not sure I’d ever thought much about Bowie’s music although I liked many of his songs, but I felt sad at his passing. And then Alan Rickman’s. Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my father’s passing so I guess it makes you think about what’s important. Have a great weekend.
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It is very impressive that you can, though it should not be impressive. More people need to wake up!
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The last paragraph in particular is wonderful. I, also, am accused of la-la-land behaviours… Perhaps it is *they* who say it that are missing out, not us… May David Bowie rest in peace.
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Well said, Peter. 🙂 Barely two years older than me, Bowie seemed to have been always a part of my life. A private extrovert! How does that come about? I was intrigued, and admiring of that certain flair he had. One of the cruelest things in life to me is Alzheimers, that takes away our engagement with the world around us.
I like that Dylan quote too. 🙂
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I enjoyed this. Really makes you think. It was beautiful.
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I’m in love.
Yes, with your words!!! xxxx LOVE from MN.
Ps. And I love Dylan.
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A beautiful and fitting post, Peter.
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Here! Here!
Charge your glasses and be upstanding!
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Reblogged this on The Purple Dragon's Lair and commented:
As an avid fan for a few decades, I salute you Mr Bowie. RIP.
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Moving words!
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This is an awesome post, above. None of us have be famous or rich to know that someone out there in this world might either be inspired, influenced, or affected in some way in the way we live our lives. We can only hope it is always a positive one. Thank you for recently visiting my blog site and liking my post. Best wishes to you in all you do, and what you write. I’m sure you are an inspiration to many, as this was an inspiring piece.
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