I am attending our yearly commemorative candle-lighting tonight, for the thousands of American dead in Iraq. It is YEAR SIX of the Iraq War. Do you believe? YEAR SIX.I find I do not want to go; I find the sight of all those candles (one for each soldier) simply stunning (not in a good way) and almost utterly overwhelming. What possible good could come from thousands of dead enlisted personnel; thousands of once-alive, vibrant young souls?
Why are we still in Iraq, again?
Depressed, confused, talking to God (okay, arguing!) and feeling the futility of it all. And yet, giving up is not an option. I have never known how to do that. (See previous post: I have 4 Virgos in my astrological chart!)
As Deadheads know, there is only one song for these occasions.
~*~
Ripple (Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia)
If my words did glow
with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice
come through the music
Would you hold it near as it were your own?
Its a hand-me-down
the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they're better left unsung
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
Reach out your hand
if your cup be empty
If your cup is full
may it be again
Let it be known
there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men
There is a road
no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go
no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone.
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow.
You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall
you fall alone
If you should stand
then who's to guide you?
If I knew the way, I would take you home.
~*~
Do yall have any idea how many versions of this are on YouTube? Maybe hundreds.
This one is particularly nice in that you can hear the audience singing along.
Ripple - Grateful Dead