Death

Source: Favim 

Death is a funny thing. Most people are afraid of it, and yet

they don't even know what it is.

           Perhaps we can clear this up.

           What is death?

           Death is it. That's it. Finished. "Finito." Over and out. No more.

           Death is many different things to many different people. I 

think it is safe to say, however, that most people don't like it.

            Why?

            Because they are afraid of it.

            Why are they afraid of it?

            Because they don't understand it.

           I think that the best way to try to understand death is to 

think about it a lot. Try to come to terms with it. Try to really

understand it. Give it a chance!

           Sometimes it helps if we try to visualize things.

           Try to visualize, for example, someone sneaking up behind 

your back and hitting you over the head with a giant hammer.

           Some people prefer to think of death as a more spiritual

thing. Where the soul somehow separates itself from the mess

and goes on living forever somewhere else. Heaven and hell being 

the most traditional choices.

           Death has a very black reputation but, actually, to die is a 

perfectly normal thing to do.

           And it's so wholesome: being a very important part of 

nature's big picture. Trees die, don't they? And flowers?

           I think it's always nice to know that you are not alone. Even in death.

           Let's think about ants for a minute. Millions of ants die 

every day, and do we care? No. And I'm sure that ants feel the 

same way about us.

           But suppose—just suppose—that we didn't have to die. 

That wouldn't be so great either. If a 90-year-old man can hardly

stand up, can you imagine what it would be like to be 500 years old?

           Another comforting thought about death is that 80 years or 

so after you die nobody who knew you will still be alive to miss you.

           And after you're dead, you won't even know it.

~ Joe Brainard

Death

Source: Favim 

Death is a funny thing. Most people are afraid of it, and yet

they don't even know what it is.

           Perhaps we can clear this up.

           What is death?

           Death is it. That's it. Finished. "Finito." Over and out. No more.

           Death is many different things to many different people. I 

think it is safe to say, however, that most people don't like it.

            Why?

            Because they are afraid of it.

            Why are they afraid of it?

            Because they don't understand it.

           I think that the best way to try to understand death is to 

think about it a lot. Try to come to terms with it. Try to really

understand it. Give it a chance!

           Sometimes it helps if we try to visualize things.

           Try to visualize, for example, someone sneaking up behind 

your back and hitting you over the head with a giant hammer.

           Some people prefer to think of death as a more spiritual

thing. Where the soul somehow separates itself from the mess

and goes on living forever somewhere else. Heaven and hell being 

the most traditional choices.

           Death has a very black reputation but, actually, to die is a 

perfectly normal thing to do.

           And it's so wholesome: being a very important part of 

nature's big picture. Trees die, don't they? And flowers?

           I think it's always nice to know that you are not alone. Even in death.

           Let's think about ants for a minute. Millions of ants die 

every day, and do we care? No. And I'm sure that ants feel the 

same way about us.

           But suppose—just suppose—that we didn't have to die. 

That wouldn't be so great either. If a 90-year-old man can hardly

stand up, can you imagine what it would be like to be 500 years old?

           Another comforting thought about death is that 80 years or 

so after you die nobody who knew you will still be alive to miss you.

           And after you're dead, you won't even know it.

~ Joe Brainard

Poem: Life

When I stop and think about what it’s all about I do come up with some answers, but they don’t help very much.

I think it is safe to say that life is pretty mysterious. And hard.

Life is short. I know that much. That life is short. And that it’s important to keep reminding oneself of it. That life is short. Just because it is. I suspect that each of us is going to wake up some morning to suddenly find ourselves old men (or women) without knowing how we got that way. Wondering where it all went. Regretting all the things we didn’t do. So I think that the sooner we realize that life is short the better off we are.

Now, to get down to the basics. There are 24 hours a day. There is you and there are other people. The idea is to fill these 24 hours as best one can. With love and fun. Or things that are interesting. Or what have you. Other people are most important. Art is rewarding. Books and movies are good fillers, and the most reliable.

Now you know that life is not so simple as I am making it sound. We are all a bit fucked up, and here lies the problem. To try and get rid of the fucked up parts, so we can just relax and be ourselves. For what time we have left.

~ Joe Brainard

Poem: Life

When I stop and think about what it’s all about I do come up with some answers, but they don’t help very much.

I think it is safe to say that life is pretty mysterious. And hard.

Life is short. I know that much. That life is short. And that it’s important to keep reminding oneself of it. That life is short. Just because it is. I suspect that each of us is going to wake up some morning to suddenly find ourselves old men (or women) without knowing how we got that way. Wondering where it all went. Regretting all the things we didn’t do. So I think that the sooner we realize that life is short the better off we are.

Now, to get down to the basics. There are 24 hours a day. There is you and there are other people. The idea is to fill these 24 hours as best one can. With love and fun. Or things that are interesting. Or what have you. Other people are most important. Art is rewarding. Books and movies are good fillers, and the most reliable.

Now you know that life is not so simple as I am making it sound. We are all a bit fucked up, and here lies the problem. To try and get rid of the fucked up parts, so we can just relax and be ourselves. For what time we have left.

~ Joe Brainard