John Donne also wrote: "Teach me to hear Mermaides singing." I was delighted to read that in a book I found of his selected writings called - yes, you guessed it - No Man is an Island. In it I also read this little poem: "A man may live of a little; but, alas, of how much less may a man die." And then this one too, appropriately on the subject about which you also write: "As all shadows are of one color, if you respect the body from which they are cast, (for our shadows upon clay will be dirty, and in a garden green and flowery) so all retiring into a shadowy life are alike from all causes, and alike subject to the barbarousness and insipid dullness of the Country; only the employments, and that upon which you cast and and bestow your pleasure, business, or books, gives it the tincture, and beauty. But truly wheresoever we are, if we can but tell ourselves truly what and where we would be, we may make any state and place such."
Like you I have been down in the dumps lately and out of sorts, mainly because of the growing slander and menace against our beloved Israel, making me impatient with the Israeli push to conquer Gaza and force the psychopaths there to release the hostages. I now see the out of his depth Witkoff and his boss Trump are pushing for another ceasefire and partial hostage release, not to mention my own Canadian Prime Minister's joining the jackal baying of western European leaders to force Israel's hand to capitulate to suicide. One loses all faith in and sympathy towards the human race, a feeling which is not good for the soul. In today's world there is no island to which to escape; the folly is such that it will reach us even on the beach in the Outer Banks. But that might be a good place to die. Remember On The Beach, the movie they made of Nevile Shute's book with Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner? Even today I can remember seeing it in Montreal, taken there by a favourite uncle along with his daughter, and being impressed by the stark beauty of it all, even with the impending lifeless end. But the world today is so crazy, the moral compass of the people who govern us and elected by us so askew, the much of which we live seems little and even a nuclear cleansing nothing more than just deserts for a species that can't seem to get it. Verily, teach me to hear Mermaides singing. I still don't get it, but thank you for sending me scurrying to my library shelf to reach for my book of John Donne's writings. (Stanyon Books and Random House, 1970, edited by Keith Fallon should you come across it.)
I don't know. I have a feeling he was pretty happy, especially when you read his love poetry. That showed his impish side, even if it would seem that when he loved he loved full-throated. Born a Catholic, he became Dean of St. Paul's. I suspect his faith was tempered by stoicism and a straight look into the hearts of men and what they get up to. His "The Sun Rising" is one of my favourite poems.
I almost forgot. The mermaid poem is a line in a longer one, I think, but I was excited to read it when I came across it because Eliot finishes Prufrock with a reference to exactly that line. "I hear the mermaids singing each to each...I do not think they shall sing to me." More lugubrious than Donne and closer to us. :)
I have a similar craving at times only it’s a cabin in the woods. Although an island would suffice I’m sure. For me I think it’s about the fight, flight, freeze impulse - in this case the flight impulse gets activated when people, places and things get too much. Which is a lot at the moment! Surrounded by seemingly insane and ridiculous people and their questionable morals.
Interestingly, I have just spent two weeks in Israel - not a cabin in the woods, or an island - but it sure did soothe the flight impulse. Perhaps it was being around people who get where I’m coming from and who know the meaning of threat and resilience from experience.
I have a neighbour (she is a nurse) that works in a busy doctors office, and she said the over 55 crew stop using protection figuring pregnancy is not an issue, and you are correct the STDs (or as the youngins call them STIs - the I stands for infection) are rampant!
Another excellent well written piece. I am team island with a big sign no trespassing 😉 !
I think where you live is very different than most 55 and older communities. And even if there is alot to do, there is alot of drinking and bed hopping. I was reading about it the other day that there is an alcohol and STD problem among those in these communities.
My parents lived in a smaller 55 and older community in Boca. It was not stimulating at all. Now this was also when they first introduced these types of communities too, since both died over a decade ago, so I think it also depends on the type of community and what you pay for as well, as far as events, etc.
I am in California, I have no idea about Florida. About bed hoping, to each its own, I am not morality police, and I have no knowledge about it. We have a documentary movies club, poetry club, concerned citizens club, art studies, concert hall, etc. And lots of physical activities clubs, including tai chi and chi qong. But we are members of a local museums and theaters outside of our complex because no one is required to be involved here unless interested.
I dont think the report was about morality, it was more about discussing the outbreak of STDs and where is the biggest growth. It was more sociological and not moral majority.
John Donne also wrote: "Teach me to hear Mermaides singing." I was delighted to read that in a book I found of his selected writings called - yes, you guessed it - No Man is an Island. In it I also read this little poem: "A man may live of a little; but, alas, of how much less may a man die." And then this one too, appropriately on the subject about which you also write: "As all shadows are of one color, if you respect the body from which they are cast, (for our shadows upon clay will be dirty, and in a garden green and flowery) so all retiring into a shadowy life are alike from all causes, and alike subject to the barbarousness and insipid dullness of the Country; only the employments, and that upon which you cast and and bestow your pleasure, business, or books, gives it the tincture, and beauty. But truly wheresoever we are, if we can but tell ourselves truly what and where we would be, we may make any state and place such."
Like you I have been down in the dumps lately and out of sorts, mainly because of the growing slander and menace against our beloved Israel, making me impatient with the Israeli push to conquer Gaza and force the psychopaths there to release the hostages. I now see the out of his depth Witkoff and his boss Trump are pushing for another ceasefire and partial hostage release, not to mention my own Canadian Prime Minister's joining the jackal baying of western European leaders to force Israel's hand to capitulate to suicide. One loses all faith in and sympathy towards the human race, a feeling which is not good for the soul. In today's world there is no island to which to escape; the folly is such that it will reach us even on the beach in the Outer Banks. But that might be a good place to die. Remember On The Beach, the movie they made of Nevile Shute's book with Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner? Even today I can remember seeing it in Montreal, taken there by a favourite uncle along with his daughter, and being impressed by the stark beauty of it all, even with the impending lifeless end. But the world today is so crazy, the moral compass of the people who govern us and elected by us so askew, the much of which we live seems little and even a nuclear cleansing nothing more than just deserts for a species that can't seem to get it. Verily, teach me to hear Mermaides singing. I still don't get it, but thank you for sending me scurrying to my library shelf to reach for my book of John Donne's writings. (Stanyon Books and Random House, 1970, edited by Keith Fallon should you come across it.)
Never heard of the mermaid poem. Sirens though lead one to their death...Donne was not a happy fellow was he?
I don't know. I have a feeling he was pretty happy, especially when you read his love poetry. That showed his impish side, even if it would seem that when he loved he loved full-throated. Born a Catholic, he became Dean of St. Paul's. I suspect his faith was tempered by stoicism and a straight look into the hearts of men and what they get up to. His "The Sun Rising" is one of my favourite poems.
I almost forgot. The mermaid poem is a line in a longer one, I think, but I was excited to read it when I came across it because Eliot finishes Prufrock with a reference to exactly that line. "I hear the mermaids singing each to each...I do not think they shall sing to me." More lugubrious than Donne and closer to us. :)
Thank you for this explanation. I dont really know Donne, just this one poem. All this was very interesting.
I have a similar craving at times only it’s a cabin in the woods. Although an island would suffice I’m sure. For me I think it’s about the fight, flight, freeze impulse - in this case the flight impulse gets activated when people, places and things get too much. Which is a lot at the moment! Surrounded by seemingly insane and ridiculous people and their questionable morals.
Interestingly, I have just spent two weeks in Israel - not a cabin in the woods, or an island - but it sure did soothe the flight impulse. Perhaps it was being around people who get where I’m coming from and who know the meaning of threat and resilience from experience.
I have a neighbour (she is a nurse) that works in a busy doctors office, and she said the over 55 crew stop using protection figuring pregnancy is not an issue, and you are correct the STDs (or as the youngins call them STIs - the I stands for infection) are rampant!
Another excellent well written piece. I am team island with a big sign no trespassing 😉 !
Ha! Brilliant, even better - with glow in the dark paint !
Thank you for the compliment.
A no trespassing and "beware of cranky old lady" sings too 😂
I think where you live is very different than most 55 and older communities. And even if there is alot to do, there is alot of drinking and bed hopping. I was reading about it the other day that there is an alcohol and STD problem among those in these communities.
My parents lived in a smaller 55 and older community in Boca. It was not stimulating at all. Now this was also when they first introduced these types of communities too, since both died over a decade ago, so I think it also depends on the type of community and what you pay for as well, as far as events, etc.
I am in California, I have no idea about Florida. About bed hoping, to each its own, I am not morality police, and I have no knowledge about it. We have a documentary movies club, poetry club, concerned citizens club, art studies, concert hall, etc. And lots of physical activities clubs, including tai chi and chi qong. But we are members of a local museums and theaters outside of our complex because no one is required to be involved here unless interested.
That sounds nice actually.
I dont think the report was about morality, it was more about discussing the outbreak of STDs and where is the biggest growth. It was more sociological and not moral majority.
My former mentor, a big snob, came over and said, Wow!
It really sounds like “wow.” 😊
I am not involved myself though. Too busy.