In ourselves human existence
is nothing but shouts,
     a cruel spasm,
          a giggling fit
where agreement is born from a consciousness
which is at last shared between the impenetrability
of ourselves and that of others.

— excerpt Literature and Evil, Genet, by Georges Bataille, p. 170

…all our yesterdays have lighted fools
the way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
that struts and frets his hour upon the stage
and then is heard no more. It is a tale
told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
signifying nothing.

— excerpt Macbeth by William Shakespeare (Act 5, Scene 5, lines 17–28)

This morning, the set-back of daylight savings time, waking to full morning light, instead of darkness felt unnatural to me.  I try to overlook such feelings.  Then making my way to Starbucks a mere 10 minutes away my way was obstructed by a running event blocking my intended route to the coffee shop.  Some time and a round-about detour later I arrived to observe the place filled with patrons, such that visibility across the room was impossible. The crowd standing shoulder to shoulder waiting, as baristas behind the counter furiously worked.

I left.  Returning to Batavia I reached the newest Starbucks which is close to the house.  Entering I found I was the sole customer in the room.  “Room” enough to think and to write…

Certainly all of this is apropos.  Famine or surplus.  Scarcity due to supply chain problems or Kardashian-like opulence.  Population concentration in our megalopolis to contrast with desertification of vast geographical areas.  Speaking more personally there’s no doubt the “elephant in the room” is whether we will effect a full bore retreat from liberal democracy to the severity of tyranny, with the mid-term elections on Tuesday.

I am comforted that human consciousness is shared, there is a tale to be told…  And as to what it signifies?  That is up to us.

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What about the song?  This one is offered as tribute to the late Jerry Lee Lewis, (September 29, 1935 – October 28, 2022)

Lewis was the first mad rock and roll performer. He has been a true legend from his early days at Sun Records to his most current critically lauded recordings. His showmanship was exceptional in and of itself. His unruly hair would hang in his face while he played his instrument and would occasionally be pulled away to reveal a frightening expression.