"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be." – Anne Frank
This profound thought and may others come from the diary of a thirteen-years-old, Jewish girl, Anne Frank, who lived in hiding from German Nazis from 1942 to 1944 in Amsterdam with her family and others. Eventually, Anne and those hiding with her were found out, sent to concentration camps, and died in captivity, except for her father. They were considered criminals because of their Jewish ethnicity and targeted for eradication.
The quote above is all the more powerful considering that she was trapped inside a secret annex of her father's office building for almost two years before her arrest, deportation, and death. Her remedy for unhappiness resonates today just as much as it did eighty years ago. The sight of a delicate flower growing from a crack in a granite mountain top is a lesson in resilience and endurance. The orderly swirl of seeds within the heart of the sunflower, the iridescent shine of a butterfly wing, the cool damp of a grassy meadow, fresh wind, warm sun, creek water, clouds - miracles of beauty and purpose - nature's reminder of the spirit that binds us all to life.
Gibran's beautiful words resonate now just as they did in high school. The Prophet, Gibran's wildly popular book of poetic essays, featured a cover displaying the mysterious portrait of a dark featured man. At first glance this portrait could have been the face of Christ distorted by the Shroud of Turin or maybe Frank Zappa's grandfather. The entire creation was and continues to be astonishing, exotic, and the essence of romantic love. Only the most discerning and sincere boyfriends were exposed to the lush beauty of Gibran's writings. My friends and I entered another world of desert tribes, harems, wise ones, a place of poetry where people actually listened to each other....
Then said Almitra, "Speak to us of Love."
And he raised his head and looked upon the people,
And there fell a stillness upon them.
And with a great voice he said:
"When love beckons to you follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep."
Along with poetic revelations in book form, I discovered that the "youth music" my parents tolerated but dismissed as light weight, was full of amazing writers and poets that expanded pop tunes into heart rending and intriguing stories. I connected with. Bernie Taupin and Elton John. They could romp and tease and wring real tears from jaded teenage eyes. My all-time favorite is Come Down In Time a look into the hopeful soul of the lover, unsure and ultimately disappointed by the beloved.
"Come Down In Time"
- Bernie Taupin and Elton John
In the quiet silent seconds I turned off the light switch
And I came down to meet you in the half light the moon left.
While a cluster of night jars sang some songs out of tune
A mantle of bright light shone down from a room.
Come down in time I still hear her say
So clear in my ear like it was today.
Come down in time was the message she gave.
Come down in time and I'll meet you half way.
Well I don't know if I should have heard her as yet
But a true love like hers is a hard love to get
And I've walked most all the way and I ain't heard her call
And I'm getting to thinking if she's coming at all.
Come down in time I still hear her say
So clear in my ear like it was today.
Come down in time was the message she gave.
Come down in time and I'll meet you half way.
There are women and women and some hold you tight
While some leave you counting the stars in the night.
*Sigh* Great stuff to revisit and allow myself to really feel, strongly feel. Let my heart bleed emotion and feel my lip quiver. Let my mind, heart, and body revel in the skillful rendering of words that create beauty and mystery. Recognize that words, music, art have power. Let the stories and songs move me. Let go and be young at heart again.
