h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We are the dead.
It all seems so simple, even if you stand up closer -
but then you can see the peeling paint and rips in the canvas.
It's all filled with mist, the land of the Dead.
Occasional ideas for revolution, song and colour drift
like flaking trees shedding leaves in wind
or a table and fire
or even a clock.
(Not even a clock has time to move the hands from one moment to the next.
Nothing happens in a flash, or even gradually - it just has happened,
while you were busy doing something.)
We are the dead. Who knew what lay beyond the silk?
Then, they were sure. Now, we are not.
Each of us is living, of a kind,
in a dream-world of memory and sepia'd photos.
(Then you live for the day when yesterday becomes tomorrow.)
Some are more faded than others-
then they drop away, more leaves. There's never any questions.
(There's never any point.)
It's all in misdirection, and smoke, and it has a cheap gilt frame.
You thought we were gone, but then
we just moved behind you. We're waiting,
(again)
the dead. Out of sight, out of touch, out of life and love
and power, and out of time.
Especially time.
Even the fallen leaves and marching decay stand still here. We're all perfect.
It's a world of echoes and shadows, and silence, utter silence, and dead, fallen logs.
We, the dead, see ourselves as we saw you.
There's a lot of old, ugly people here.
(Again, again, you cry.)
My time isn't money, or power, or the smell of a fresh dew.
It's not the feeling of your blood cavorting around you.
It's just there, like the dark, waiting.
So speak, you living, for I am the dead.
Speak, and I will listen, and listen.
Talk, and I will hear, but only -
do not question, for I will answer what I believe to be true.

Hi Fnord

I like your poem, especially the ending !!!!

WHen I was younger I used to get pretty depressed about the thought of death, from the time that I was quite young I had premonitions about my own father,s premature death, and as a result used to spend an unhealthy amount of time wandering around churchyards with my dog, when I visit England I find I still visit churchyards, it,s kind of a compulsion, I find a peace there, (weirdest, I know). You may be glad to know that I do not visit cementary,s here where I live (Tenerife) ever......just England.!!!

My children are very keen to know what happens to animals when they die, we have a dog who is 19 years old, and naturally they wonder what will happen to her, although I am convinced this animal is immortal, she was given only 2 years to live, at the most, by the vet, 6 years ago, due to her heart condition, she is still going strong!!!!!
(she is a recue dog, a complete mongrel, she has lived with us for the past 13 years).

Going to bed now, finally!!!!



Jane

hi Fnord,

Hmmm . . . that was a bit more cheery than the old man one. Also glad that no innocent animals were harmed or killed. You should check out the AWW (alternative writer's workshop) and present some of your poems. There are some people there, especially Ben, who can offer their opinions, good constructive criticism and advice. I'll try to find the clicky-onny number thingy for you.



hi Jane,

So, now you are inspiring poetry. Bl**dy show off.

az

Jane - Death isn't something to be scared of for me, it's more of an interesting idea, a curiositie. Probably because I'm young and haven't had much contact with it yet. I used to be a little scared and tried to "live it up" with drugs and stuff to feel alive by contrast, but then I attempted suicide one day and felt reborn the next. Hmm.
Az - Maybe I won't delete it as quickly as I should, I like it. Well, most of it. Find a link, and I'll follow.

And Jane's line was nicked because it really was a cool speech, and as I was reading the end line it just fitted in with an idea I had, and it was the perfect line for it. It was like cymbals being clashed together in reverse, only the sound was information in my head.
"I asked him, and he fell silent. Doesn't that scare you? There's something the dead are keeping back? Yes, there's something that the dead are keeping back".

Hi Fnord

Yep, the dead are very definitely keeping something back, that very knowledge of the existence of life after death!!!

I too tried a "substance" in the 80,s NEVER AGAIN, I felt so b++++y ill, spent the night with my head down the toilet, thought I was going to very definitely die any minute, lost control of all my movements, being drunk was NOTHING in comparison to how sick and ill I felt that night, it seemed like an eternity, really how I can imagine hell to be, so thank you, no thanks, never again would I try anything after that night!!!!!

For me personally death holds no fears, except the fact that I wouldn,t want to die now because I have too many people relying on me and I wouldn,t want to let them down!!! especially my children, besides I want to continue until I am really ancient and become a total burden upon everyone!!!

I intend to be a lively old bird when I reach 75, dressing in outrageous clothes and chatting up "young" toyboys of 65!!!



Jane

Jane - .
Which substance was it? You were probably rejective, or you got it from a bad source. (It's amazing how all people my age know so much about drugs. And slightly scary.)
To tell the truth, I'm not living for myself so much now either. I'm living for my friends and family, for the present and future, and for all the things I haven't done that I want to do before I snuff it. However, I *don't* want to grow old and infirm in mind and body. It'd be like feeling your body slowly rot while you wear it. Once you get past 65, it'd just be like waiting the last few years for your death to come. It'd be horrible.

Fnord,

By the time you get to 65 you won't think it's so old. And if you take care of your body (and also have some luck) you should be quite spry and healthy well into your 80's. I'm hoping for at least 75 myself.

Yes, Jane, what *were* you getting up to as a rebellious youf? I did acid a few times, when I was 14 and hanging out with bikers. Would never recommend it, however, as it is too unpredictable. After my last time I think I had a nervous breakdown - at any rate, that is about the time my panic attacks started.

The thing about buying illegal drugs is that they come from criminals, so even if you know who is selling you can't ever be sure of the content. I suppose there are some dealers who also manufacture, but I never knew any. Anyhow, after my psycho acid experience I wasn't even able to smoke any drugs as I found it made me get all nervous (even though it normally has the opposite effect on people). So now I stick to wine and cigs.

So, neither of you are afraid of death? It scares the heckity out of me - I sure am in no hurry to go THERE.

Also, I may be wrong, but I think that life becomes more precious the longer one lives it. Which is perhaps why so many teenagers attempt suicide. Also, that is such a time of hormonal and emotional upheaval. But without the experience of having lived more I think it is difficult to see beyond difficult times and realise (truly realise) that nothing ever stays the same. Well, enough rambling from me, I think . . .

az

I know many ways of manufacturing drugs easily and cheaply and scientifically for myself, so if I were to take them, I'd at least do that.
Ooh, Jane, do tell...
I'm not in a hurry to go there, it just seems so... distant.
And I'm damned sure I won't be spry when I'm 65. I'm barely struggling by now, and I have the benefits of a high metabolism and low blood pressure. Although, I am scared of cancer as a means to death. I've been in hospitals far more than I could ever want to be, and ending my days the way they began isn't too appealing. (Bald, fat, kicking and screaming in an uncomfortable bed, surrounded by tens of similar cases).

Oh for heaven's sake, Fnord, get a grip already!

I am ONLY 46 and my back is a total wreck - actually it has been since I was 23. So it's something I have always had to deal with, even when I was young and green and leafy. Not like now! Fat old git with a bad back and a new HUMP to boot! Ha! It's no picnic, let me tell ya!

Thing is, since my back is no better/no worse than it was when I was 23 I reckon it'll be about the same when I'm 65.

And why be scared of cancer? That's like being scared that you might be run over by a bus tomorrow. Hardly a thing to worry about - it is just down to chance, I reckon. Anyhoodle, you are only 16, for f**k's sake! Why are you even thinking about death? I only started considering this remote possiblibity very recently, though to be honest, I don't think of it as something about to happen in the near future. Well, unless I get run over by a bus tomorrow!

Just enjoy today as much as you can. Does that sound like soppy advice? Well, just try DOING it. Then you will see that it actually takes some energy and also quite a bit of personal strength. It's not easy getting through a day well. You know?

Each day we have is such a precious gift, Fnord. It's true.

az

Okay, okay, sorry...

Don't be 'sorry'! Just try and do it. And feel happy when a day works out well, rather than feel crappy when perhaps many days turn out being crap. Therein perhaps lies one small secret, out of the many secrets, of feeling happy.



az

Okay, okay...?

Ahhh, Fnord, that,s my secret you think us old 'uns never rebelled dont ya!!! well you are wrong, my mother still doesn,t forgive me for the things she found out about, and I certainly wouldn,t tell her about the things that she never found out about!!!

See, I was a good little Christian girl brought up within an upstanding Christian home, so, naturally, I wanted to find some fun!!!!! I went out with anyone at all who owned a ford anglia, that was sooooo coool, to go out with a guy who owned a car, and a ford angia was pretty super cool!!!

However, at 23 I was invited out for dinner by a man who I liked, getting to know him through where I worked, he duly arrived with his car to collect me for the pre-arranged date, I walked outside and was confronted by his vehicle, yes...... a reliant robin, 3 wheels!!!!

At 23 a reliant robin is the naffest vehicle one can think of, I would have felt better if he had arrived on a tandem!! now of course I wouldn,t care and have a great affection for cars like Robin,s and Trabby,s.

Aha, so you are only 16, well I have to tell you at 16 I felt 25 was really passed it,s sell by date, now I am 43, I see people of 60, and say how young they are, that,s what happens as you get older!!! yes like Az I have my aches and pains, a bit of back trouble, arthritis in the left knee since I was 25, but I still wear high heels, even though they hurt like hell!!! (well not all day long, only when I want to impress)!!!

Like I said, I tried a "substance" once, it really wasn,t for me, it made me really ill, and I am very, very grateful for that, otherwise my life may have turned out very different, so my vices throughout my youth were alcohol and cigarrettes, I used to drink vodka tonic, but can,t bear the stuff anymore, I got so drunk on it in 1979, that it put me off completely, nowadays I have a few beers, a few marlborough cigarrettes, and a glass of wine, maybe on special occassions I can be tempted to a martini seco, or a gin tonic!!

Drugs?? well I have seen really brilliant and clever friends of mine over the years destroy their mental health and their lives through drugs, it,s such a waste and such a shame, life is for living, for savouring every moment, and you Fnord have such an advantage over most people because it,s obvious that you have a really brilliant mind, you are very intelligent and clever and I am sure will go far if you choose to.

Jane

Ooh, thanks, Jane.
No, I know all too well that even old folks rebelled. My mum never shuts up about the time she spent editing the school newspaper...
Aren't Reliant Robins banned now cos they're dangerous?

I have absolootely no comment on your last paragraph, since my brother held a party last night and I downed eight vodka shots for a cheap laugh. Except it cost four quid.

ha ha ha ha, hope you have a searing headache today then!!!!!!

ohhhh, are Robins really banned??? no wonder I haven,t seen any lately mind you when you get to my age you would be grateful if any man invites you for dinner, Robin owner or not

Actually Fnord, I am still rebelling at 43!!!!!

Love from a very ancient, old, decrepid and tired

Jane

Actually, I'm one of those lucky, lucky people who doesn't get hangovers. My friends all hate me for it. But that doesn't mean I don't get tired from staying up partying all night. Honestly, yooves.
Well, I *think* they're banned. To difficult/dangerous to reverse or something.
I know you're still rebelling. Wow, are you nearly the same age as az? That's not that ancient, old, decrepid, but I don't know about tired. You've had thrice the life I have, and I'mzzzzzzzz
Why did you bring up the subject of paedophilia on the God thread again? You *know* it just makes you angry.

<>

Yes, we are still shuffling around with our zimmerframes, Fnord! Quite amazing. Though Jane manages to look much sexier with hers than I do - it's the lipstick.

Hey, I also don't get hangovers. And I have never had a headache in my life.

But Jane, you were right that the whiskey last night was not the wisest move. Stomach this morning felt like I had drunk drain cleaner and I felt that if anyone stood close enough to me I could dry clean their clothes just by breathing on them. That'll teach me to let the wine run out! Must seriously consider getting in the of Absolut to stick in the freezer in case of emergencies.

Just checked the God thread again to see what was going on with this paedophilia thing - you didn't actually bring the subject up Jane, I don't think. It was he-who-must-not-be-named I think. Pet subject of his. But saw that this morning Math posted a very good 'non-emotional' argument. He told me he kept out of it last time because it is also a topic that gets his blood boiling and he doesn't trust himself to be rational about it. Sexual urge my fat @rse! Its only relationship to sex is that this is one of the ways these cowardly b*st*ds express their sickness. It is ONLY about causing pain and suffering and thereby giving these sickos a sense of power. Because they are all totally sick in their minds and hearts and souls. So there.

Dang it's hot here today. Apparently the longest running heatwave in the history of Sevilla. Should mean that I am losing weight, but no such luck. Oh well.

az

Why would you want to put lipstick on a zimmer frame?
Oh, in case you hadn't noticed, I sent you an email. The subject's "Heeeeere's Fnord!". You better not've deleted it...
"Pet subject" what are you implying? I didn't bring it up. I tend to get shouted down by the people I like and agreed with by Toxxing on this subject, and that's not what I want at all. With the violent and cruel ones, yes, lock 'em up and come back a decade later. But what about the poor souls who have to control themselves and are taught throughout their lives that they don't deserve to live? Don't you feel a little pity?
I've run out of liquids except water. Have consumed last of prawn cocktail crisps, and now the only food in the house in cheese and onion flavour. Just found wholemilk in the fridge. I'm debating whether to drink it quickly before my brother comes back.
Meals for today : So far - one tin of spaghetti hoops.
I don't think I can last for much longer...

Not *your* pet subject, divvy! HIS!

<>

I feel that they have options for treatment. There are plenty of drugs available to suppress sexual urges (as this is the form their violent tendencies usually take). Otherwise they could opt for castration, if the paedophile is a man. And yes, there are also female paedophiles, though they are not so common. They could also look for help by having psychotherapy that helps them to control their impulses. You see, these people actually hate themselves, which is the only way they are able to hurt others. I do find them very hard to pity, especially as most don't try to do anything to stop themselves.

The thing about getting an 'urge' about anything is that it only ever remains that - an inkling of an urge - unless one chooses to feed it and cultivate it. Paedophiles feed their fantasies by using kiddie porn, which makes them just as guilty as they are only paying someone else to do their dirty work for them.

I suggest you order in a pizza with extra cheese.

az

I know that. I don't know why I said that I didn't bring it up.

Well, whatever. They still have to live in a life without love, because they're forced to cut that part of themselves out. Don't you pity that? And as for hating themselves, well, that's not really their fault.
Not all paedophiles view kiddie porn, just as I try to make a point not to watch hetero porn, because it's a) degrading and b) a rip off to all involved.

I'll order me that pizza this eve.