thoughts percolating

[rm]

But, instead of telling you them, I have a poll.

What's your relationship to death/Death (capitalization as you prefer)?
Please share any thoughts you have about gender as connected with that.

Thnx.

Comments

[askeladden.livejournal.com]

My own relationship to death is disappointingly unleavened by archetype. I don't really fear it. I'd like to put it off if I can, and I'm a bit curious about what it'll entail when it happens, but it's not much of a looming figure in my life.

My most persistently recurring nightmare (since childhood) is of surviving a horrible disease which then kills the person (sometimes my mother, sometimes my lover) who nursed me through it, for whatever that's worth.

The first thing that came to mind respecting death and gender was Schubert's song Death and the Maiden, but I don't know that I have much to say about it offhand. I'll post the text and let it percolate a bit in my head, and if I get anything out of it, I'll comment again. Also, if you want an mp3, I can mail it to you. It's a wonderful song. The string quartet based on it is mindblowing too.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Text: Matthias Claudius

Das Mädchen:
"Vorüber! ach, vorüber!
Geh, wilder Knochenmann!
Ich bin noch jung, geh, Lieber!
Und rühr mich nicht an!!

Der Tod:
"Gib deine hand, du schön und zart Gebild,
Bin freund und komme nicht zu strafen.
Sei guten Mutes! Ich bin nicht wild,
Sollst sanft in meinen Armen schlafen!"

English Translation by Emily Ezust

The Maiden:
"Go past me, oh, go past!
Go, savage man of bone!
I am still young; go please
and do not molest me."

Death:
"Give me your hand, your fair and tender form!
I am a friend; I do not come to punish.
Be of good cheer! I am not savage.
You shall sleep gently in my arms."

[askeladden.livejournal.com]

I should mention that I've never seen death close up. I've had cats who died, and a client, once, and some relativese I never really got to know, but no one whom I've both loved and spoken with.