Burning And Raving

[poliphilo]

"Old age should burn and rave", said Dylan Thomas, but what did he know?  He checked out at 39.

Wouldn't it be awful if old people took his advice. They'd be insufferable. It'd be a great argument for compulsory euthanaesia.

And what would be the point?  Time isn't going to hand back the things it's taken. Resignation is the sensible option. Also prettier to look at. You need to know when to let go- but without losing interest. Not losing interest could be the trickiest part.

And sometimes, I'll admit it,  the Dylan Thomas option does seem attractive.

Comments

[matrixmann]

Some of those caught it very badly with brain disease in old age literally do this - but not in that kind the author of that motto intended it...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

No, they're not making a conscious choice...

[matrixmann]

That's what I mean. The way they "burn & rave" then, first they couldn't choose it voluntarily, and second, at all they couldn't choose if they wanted to or not. Their brain and nature decided for them...

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

Yeah but raving is sometimes difficult ti give up.However, now that another notch has been scratched, take a step back. i think it is time to step back although my thirst for knowledge and winder will not cease because if you don't use you lose it.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Growing old is a difficult row to hoe.

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

My mother's father lived to see 94 and maintained a quiet dignity to the end. I should love to do the same, though like him I'd hate to have to wait so long. His secret, best I can tell, was simply to keep his thoughts to himself.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

And why not? Few things are as repellent as self pity.

I wouldn't want to make 94 either. That's my mother's age. She shuffles around good-humouredly but she can't hold onto a thought and her memory- except for odd things in the far distant past- is shot.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

'When I am old, I shall wear purple'..............

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's easier to get away with outrageous behaviour when you're old- but that's partly because people no longer take you seriously.

An aged man is but a paltry thing,
A tattered coat upon a stick, unless
Soul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing
For every tatter in its mortal dress...

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

'Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened'

Terry Pratchett (bang on, as so often).