Much of life can only be understood when opposites confront one another. Life and death find their meaning in the opposite. Safety and security can only be appreciate in the experience of risk and hazard. We love our loved ones, not because of what they give to us, but what is missing if they were not here. Iain McGilchrist in his book The Matter with Things writes about this tension in chapter 20, The coincidentia oppositorum. Here's a video where he discusses this. https://youtu.be/KAZ2a-vawMk?si=LDAZbA5oW1ubnLbJ. The point here is that the Main and the Margin require the other to establish meaning and perspective. This is what I see in the Center and Periphery idea that I've written about. What happens when the Center (Main) fails and disappears? All we then have is the Periphery (Margins) becoming the Center or Main. Then quickly a new Main or Center emerges. It seems like this is where we are today. And yet, if even a time of change, we hide from the realities of death, we will fail to do that which will support and enhance life. Great thoughts for the turn of the year.
Intriguing poem Sam. I was not familiar with this poet or poem previously. It is one of those that seems simple at first glance but has a lot hidden beneath the surface. Thanks for pulling the string on this one to help us work through it. Hope you have a great year.
I completely agree. It is a beautiful piece, all the more so because he lived it. I hope you have a great New Years as well. Here’s to many, many books in 2025.
Reminds me of an interview Subcommandante Marcos gave way back when:
"In the mountains of Chiapas, death was part of daily life. It was as common as rain or sunshine. People here coexist with death, with the death of their own, especially the little ones. Paradoxically, death begins to shed its tragic cloak. Death becomes a daily fact. It loses its sacredness. You see it as...as someone you sit down with at the table, like an old acquaintance.
You don't lose your fear of death, but you become familiar with it. It becomes your equal.
Death, which is so close, so near, so possible, is less terrifying for us than for others. So, going out and fighting and perhaps meeting death is not as terrible as it seems. For us, at least.
In fact, what surprises and amazes us is life itself. The hope of a better life. Going out to fight and to die and finding out you're not dead, but alive. And, unintentionally, you realize you're walking along a middle path between death and life. You're walking on the edge of the border between them. You've much to learn. What have you been doing?"
This post, in a way, sums up my whole Pages By The Sea Substack, awareness. Awareness of death, living on the "margin" which makes your life fuller, giving it clarity. And "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" is my favorite story and novella of all time. It is so powerful and the ultimate 'wake up' call. Thanks so much for this and I love the 'main vs margin', fantastic.
Good piece. I’ve never heard of Alan Seeger or his poetry before, what a savage, I’ll do my best and take some of his essence into 2025. Makes me want to do something stupid and re-enlist, or take a trip to the Donbas.
We live in an age where the vast majority live their lives with a reasonable expectation of living a long, comfortable life. My dog, Toby, also has such an expectation. We should be more than somebody's pet dog.
Sam, you never disappoint. I translate the opposites to realistically avoiding being a hypocrite as much as possible. To a great 2025, no matter how bumpy it gets!
Much of life can only be understood when opposites confront one another. Life and death find their meaning in the opposite. Safety and security can only be appreciate in the experience of risk and hazard. We love our loved ones, not because of what they give to us, but what is missing if they were not here. Iain McGilchrist in his book The Matter with Things writes about this tension in chapter 20, The coincidentia oppositorum. Here's a video where he discusses this. https://youtu.be/KAZ2a-vawMk?si=LDAZbA5oW1ubnLbJ. The point here is that the Main and the Margin require the other to establish meaning and perspective. This is what I see in the Center and Periphery idea that I've written about. What happens when the Center (Main) fails and disappears? All we then have is the Periphery (Margins) becoming the Center or Main. Then quickly a new Main or Center emerges. It seems like this is where we are today. And yet, if even a time of change, we hide from the realities of death, we will fail to do that which will support and enhance life. Great thoughts for the turn of the year.
Well said, Ed. I need to check out this piece you’re referring to. Thank you and I hope you have a great New Years.
Intriguing poem Sam. I was not familiar with this poet or poem previously. It is one of those that seems simple at first glance but has a lot hidden beneath the surface. Thanks for pulling the string on this one to help us work through it. Hope you have a great year.
I completely agree. It is a beautiful piece, all the more so because he lived it. I hope you have a great New Years as well. Here’s to many, many books in 2025.
Reminds me of an interview Subcommandante Marcos gave way back when:
"In the mountains of Chiapas, death was part of daily life. It was as common as rain or sunshine. People here coexist with death, with the death of their own, especially the little ones. Paradoxically, death begins to shed its tragic cloak. Death becomes a daily fact. It loses its sacredness. You see it as...as someone you sit down with at the table, like an old acquaintance.
You don't lose your fear of death, but you become familiar with it. It becomes your equal.
Death, which is so close, so near, so possible, is less terrifying for us than for others. So, going out and fighting and perhaps meeting death is not as terrible as it seems. For us, at least.
In fact, what surprises and amazes us is life itself. The hope of a better life. Going out to fight and to die and finding out you're not dead, but alive. And, unintentionally, you realize you're walking along a middle path between death and life. You're walking on the edge of the border between them. You've much to learn. What have you been doing?"
That is a great quote and poetically rendered. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Sam. This is a poem that really lays open our existence!
I love Tolstoy and will check out The Death of Ivan Ilyich. Happy New Year to you and yours!
You’re very welcome. Definitely check out Ilyich. It’s around 50 pages and cuts straight to the core. Happy New Years!
Thanks for sharing a poem with such terrible beauty, along with your very on-target commentary. 👏
You are very welcome Baird.
This post, in a way, sums up my whole Pages By The Sea Substack, awareness. Awareness of death, living on the "margin" which makes your life fuller, giving it clarity. And "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" is my favorite story and novella of all time. It is so powerful and the ultimate 'wake up' call. Thanks so much for this and I love the 'main vs margin', fantastic.
Excellent Sam!
Thank you my friend.
Good piece. I’ve never heard of Alan Seeger or his poetry before, what a savage, I’ll do my best and take some of his essence into 2025. Makes me want to do something stupid and re-enlist, or take a trip to the Donbas.
I felt the exact same thing. It reminded of how I felt putting body armor on before a mission. Almost religious.
We live in an age where the vast majority live their lives with a reasonable expectation of living a long, comfortable life. My dog, Toby, also has such an expectation. We should be more than somebody's pet dog.
That is one of the most striking aspects of this poem and who wrote it. It is a powerful reminder. We need more poets like Seeger.
Sam, you never disappoint. I translate the opposites to realistically avoiding being a hypocrite as much as possible. To a great 2025, no matter how bumpy it gets!
Well said, Barry, thank you and happy New Years as well!
Poetically said. Thank you, Svana.