I have been thinking a lot about death lately, especially since my Great Granny and Mrs Terrill have both been in hospital, both on the brink of death, and one still is. I found out also this week that Auntie Joan, Mrs Terrill's Sister has died as well as a sheep I was attached to called Daisy at Flicka Foundation.
There are many thoughts on death throughout the ages, written in books, poems, songs, and art.
Phillip Pullman imagines death in the last book of the "Dark Materials" series as a trap, being separated from those you love,being frozen in time, and always having to remember your life, this of course ends with Lyra and Will releasing all the spirits of which then turns to dust or particles to nurture the world that is still alive. He also imagines that death is always waiting beside you as a companion through out your life, guiding you and taking you by the hand into death when the time is right.
J.K Rowling in "The Deathly Hallows" imagines death being a place that has had the most impact or importance to you in your life. In Harry's case it was Kings Cross Station where he started his magical journey and where it also finishes. She also creates this with an air of mystery as it seems that you have to from there "Board the train" to move on to the final phase.
Religion also has a huge influence on people with the thoughts of death. The normal thoughts on this being, heaven, hell and Saint Peter and his judgement over you, whether you have been worthy enough to be let in to heaven. Buddhists believe that you turn into an animal, that you are reincarnated, that all people, animals and plants souls are reused. This to me is logical in an illogical way. Also to me this is the nicest way of thinking of death, however, I would not like to come back as a human, one human life is enough for me.
Art has always of course been influenced by death, Michelangelo and his most supreme of art works that resides on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, of which he shows in the most exquisite detail. Shows how he imagines heaven and hell, the disparaging, endless, pain, suffering,hatred of hell, encapsulating every paint stroke and movement of his imagination. You also notice that the peoples bodies, in hell are so twisted and disturbing that it is obvious that this is not only a painting but a vision, his vision, of how hell might be like, to ultimately for anyone that looks up at this master piece and gazes at it, will feel so scared that it will prevent them from sinning. Michelangelo imagines heaven exactly as you would have thought, angels, perfection and the enless glorification of god, and with that of the most famous of images, Adam and God, reaching out to each other and yet never quite touching. The most imacting of paintings.
Nature, has also influenced many Photographers such as Ansel Adams and Edward Weston who both have been influenced by a place called "Deaths Valley" a desert in California.
They have imagined the desolate and barren land as somewhere constantly being associated with death.
Also this place has been given it's name because of not only their imagination but the people that live along side it, know it, and treasure it, despite, it being the most harsh and unbelievable lands live in or near.
This place also reminds me of the writer Terry Pratchett, and in the book "The Hat Full of Sky" in which he imagines the next life being a desert, that you have to trek across to finally find your final resting place.
He also has one of my favourite characters, Death himself. Swathed in a black cloak, and in the book, as he speaks it is with no speech marks and is in capital letters. This to me shows that no rules apply to death. Also the personality that Pratchett associates with Death, has now made me, realise that when I die, if I don't meet Death or as he is also called "The Grim Reaper" then I will be very disappointed.
Poems written by those who fear death, or are surrounded by it always also have imagined their own reasoning of death.
Such as:
"A Poison Tree" By William Blake.
I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe;
I told it not, my wrath did grow
And I water'd it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with my smiles
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright;
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine,
And into my garden stole
When the night had veil'd the pole:
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretch'd beneath the tree.
What this poem is regarding is his anger with his friend when they differ in opinion, and kills him thinking that in his wrath, it was the right thing to do, he then is not at all remorseful but then becomes fascinated by death, and becomes happy and confident, because of it. This is a sick twisted way of thinking of it but it creates impact, and also shows how even the most normal of people consider death and envelop it into their daily lives.
Comedy, television, dramas also have death at least once written into their plays. Whether it be in Monty Pythons master piece "The Meaning of Life" with the most famous of scenes and lines The Grim Reaper pointing to a bowel on the table and saying "It was the samon moose". Also then to petty Screen dramas such as Eastenders how they will kill off one of their most beloved Characters so as to make people become so moved by their deaths, so involved with a life that does not exist.
Ultimately, death, is of wonderment to all people. To me I do not car for my own death, as most people shy away from such thoughts, and are terrified of dying. I have never been scared of death, I have always been scared for those I would leave behind, not being able to care for them. However what I am terrified of is them dying on me, leaving me. The cold emptiness. I have had many animals die on me and a few break my heart, and although people say it heals in time as it was only an animal, for me, it never will.
Bebe, Clouse, Meg, Tim, Buster, Kitty, Jack,Goldy, Oldie, Stalker, George, and many more will be forever in my heart and thoughts.
I have never not yet had a human die on me, and I have never had that pain to compare with the pain of loosing a beloved animal.
But I know soon I shall.
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