Plague Journal, Grape Hyacinth
The truth of a grape hyacinth exceeds that of a man who *fabulates daily, foisting sociopathic reality upon all who need a cause, or have something to gain, or who are just lost in the kaleidoscopic zeitgeist of endless marketing. I arrived at this conclusion, peering through the lens of my camera on a rainy morning, examining the tiny blossoms sparkling with light and rain drops.
I plan to dedicate less of the time left of my one life, trying to make meaning out of the absurd, out of the irrational. For however long others are infatuated with this snake-oil salesman, perhaps he is harbinger that we Americans have overstayed our lease….. the intricate beauty of nature, and the heritage of thought from an array of philosophers, contemporary lyricists too, have a superior claim upon my attention.
These are several of the images of life vibrant in the day-long spring rain that were captured yesterday. The flowers were planted by the previous home owners, for which I am grateful. Is not nearly everything that we have the fruit of someone else’s good taste and labor?
To conclude for today, I can do no better than Leonard Cohen’s great anthem. Cohen’s lyric is derived from several stories in the Jewish holy texts, the story of Sampson as well as that of David. The hazard involved in our search for completion in another is great and unending. Enough said. Just enjoy.
*to relate untrue or invented stories
If you are curious about this anthem here is what Rolling Stone had to say. CLICK HERE.
Hallelujah
Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
You say I took the name in vain
I don’t even know the name
But if I did—well, really—what’s it to you?
There’s a blaze of light in every word
It doesn’t matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I did my best, it wasn’t much
I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch
I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I’ll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah
lyrics by Leonard Cohen
5 thoughts on “Plague Journal, Grape Hyacinth”
Fine selection. I think the best of his that I’ve heard.
I have sung it a few times in the last few years at an acoustic song circle I’ve been in (when my emphysema riddled lungs can get down there), at the same coffee house we meet at. The last couple of years I’ve thought to return country music to its deserved place of prominence – much Hank Williams, with a little bit of Jimmie Rogers and George Jones thrown in for good measure. OF course – the Man in Black.
I can only play the stereo but I guess my voice is good enough that they haven’t kicked me out
Blessings
I never new. Leonard had, after winding down his career ( accept for his final album; ” You Want it Darker”) began an exploration of “The Three Pearls”
From ‘Rolling Stone’ :
‘In 1995, Cohen halted his career, entered the Mt. Baldy Zen Center outside of Los Angeles, became an ordained Buddhist monk and took on the Dharma name Jikan (“silence”)’.
Om Mani Padme Hum
Blessings
Don’t mean to bust your shoes but you’ve got the lyrics to a different version up. He had a couple – I think the ‘You Tube’ version you have to play is the finest.
Blessings
Al, appreciate the attention to detail. If I cannot find text for the version performed, will leave what I originally found. As with many great works, the song admits of a a range of lyrical interpretations.
Indeed it does and the sensibilities explored are thrust into the most intimate corners of our hearts and souls.
Blessings