...and always laughing

 

"In a democracy, every citizen, regardless of his interest in politics, 'holds office'; every one of us is in a position of responsibility; and, in the final analysis, the kind of government we get depends upon how we fulfill those responsibilities.  

We, the people, are the boss, and we will get the kind of political leadership, be it good or bad, that we demand and deserve."

~ John F. Kennedy, U.S. President  (1961 - 1963)

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The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

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~ a poem by Rumi, a 13th century Persian mystic

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I got the idea to look up poetry written by Rumi, from reading Jerry Hall's book, My Life in Pictures -- she wrote about the early days of her romance with Mick Jagger:

------------------ [excerpt] -------------- We really were head over heels in love.  When I first went to Paris to be with Mick, while he recorded an album and I did the catwalk shows...we never got tired or bored or disagreed.  

We were just so in love, becoming closer and closer, sharing our thoughts, our books, our inner fears and always laughing.  

He would read me the spiritual poetry of Rumi and I would read him the humorous poetry of Dorothy Parker. ---------------- [end / excerpt]

Mick's songwriting process:

--------------- [excerpt] ---------- He would keep a diary and write down all his emotions.  Then he would pick through his notes and work them into songs.  

He would also take stories from what was going on in the world and craft powerful, haunting lyrics.  

He had some of the same books that Bryan Ferry had used for song writing:  rhyming dictionaries and the French poets Baudelaire and Rimbaud.

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