Mr. Yeats
Rocks Off Regular
Offline
Nothing beats fun for a good time.
Posts: 704
Gender:
|
It was an awful and strange feeling to hear of Mary's death today. After so many ups and downs in her ordeal, I actually did think she would get reasonably healthy and functioning again. I didn' t know her, but would have very much liked to, at the very least chat on the phone or whatnot. When I first registered here (actually the second time, after the "crash" or whatever), she was one of the first and few posters to respond to me, and did so in a friendly, knowing and knowledgable way. I still remember the post: it was on the "what are you listening to now?" thread. I said Lou Reed's 'Blue Mask' album and raved about guitarist Robert Quine. She said "oh, aye. I recall seeing Quine with Richard Hell and the Voidoids many a time in NYC". And then said this to me: "You're a man after my own heart, Mr. Yeats". Oh really? Well, then...seems like my kind of people. And a girl! Single perhaps...? And then more recently to see some pictures of her: that red hair, the very particular way she's crossing her legs in the photo with her other Rocks Off mates where she's giving the finger; the couple pics where you can see her green eyes (fuck the shades). My impression was that we were both of approximately the same age, had similar musical tastes, possibly similar backgrounds. She seemed so smart. She seemed to take no guff. She seemed to have a big heart and humor.
And then came this thread.
I don't take death well. I've experienced quite a few family and very, very close friends dying from various causes in the last ten very short years. I should be getting used to it. Rather, it throws me for a loop every time. I'll spare the details, but one thing is I seem to, often, get angry. And Mary's death has struck that chord in me. Please tell me to shut up, calm down, whatever, but I'd like to know how, after surviving two liver transplants (the second apparently successful), a hip replacement can cause blindness and then death. An infection? With a battery of doctors, nurses, social workers in two states?...In the year 2013? With people from at least two continents assisting, encouraging and advocating for her? What the fuck is this? None of my business - I understand. And Lady Jane, Gazza, Bitch, VooDoo, Gimmekeef, and many other beautiful people on this board - you've shown yourselves to be of the very highest order of human development. The very best of what our species is, or can be.
But still: how in fucks name do you die from a a fucked up hip while surrounded by North American medical personel?
I am sorry to rave. I am sorry for Mary, I am sorry for Mary's mum. I am sorry to and for all of you who were her friends.
All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. - John Donne
Sleep well Mary.
|