2018

For all of us who thought the world would end in 2012... Ha ha! It's like those moments in life, when you lose all hope and succumb to absolution, and then out of the blue, there presents itself a solution that pretty much solves everything; and that leaves you wondering, 'Why couldn't you have showed up a little earlier, before my dramatic meltdown?" That's just life, I guess... ridiculously bizarre and unpredicatable.

Anyway, like most of you, I've had a rough year. I'm sure a lot of you have had it a lot worse than me... it's all relative, as they say; not really sure who "they" are, but I'm sure you catch my drift. It's been a rough year with all the political angst and surprises and shocks, the global terror attacks, tremendous loss of life, floods in India; it's not been easy. I'm sure most of you are looking forward to 2018 with a lot of hope and anticipation. I know I am. I also know that the older generation, that have a fair idea about how things work, are a little less expectant and simply plan to take things as they come. Who knows what's going to happen?

This isn't a fright post... if it sounds as such at present, don't worry or cringe or twist your face. Shortly I'll be throwing some corny things at you that will make you cringe even more. 

Moving on... I'm really grateful for a lot of things that happened this year. Most of all, I've extremely grateful to all the people who made 2017 bearable. There were quite a few people who were around when I needed them and wanted them the most. There were a few complete strangers who ended up becoming an important part of my life. I grew closer to some and drifted apart from some. All in all, the year was what is what because of these people. 

A lot of people were instrumental in most of the happy moments that transpired this year. Think about it... our lives are what they are because of who's in it. Think about all the people in your life; the ones that make it better, the ones that make it easy. 

If anything at all, I want to be like the people who helped me this year. They helped me see, understand and find meaning when I was running around in circles with a blindfold. It was pertifying and there were moments when I was almost paralysed by fear and uncertainty that stalked me rather diligently. We've all felt this way at some point this year; but there was always someone to gently hold your hand, remove the blindfold and help you find your way again. I don't know if they'll be there in 2018, I don't know how many new faces will become familiar and probably important at some point... I don't know.

2018... bring it on. 

The Ingenius of Modern Poetry

When I say modern poetry, I'm specifically talking about song. Songs that have moving lyrics, melodious music and the capacity to move us.

You see, I've been listening to this particular song on loop since the past few days and I'm going to share it so that you can understand why.

If the video doesn't work on account of some technological glitch, the song is called "Don't Panic" by Clarity. Yes, it happens to be a cover of the brilliant Coldplay song.

I heard this particular song in the trailer of X-Men: Apocalypse and it has left a major imprint on my mind. If you watch the trailer and here the song, it'll make a lot of more sense.

See what I mean? I have loved the original for as long as I can remember, but it never had the same profound effect on me as the combination of the visuals which are so penetrating themselves with the sagacious lyrics and the music. It's the perfect formula for a thought provoking, paralyzing experience that inspires a lengthy blog post.

I am obsessed with dystopia- I shall often display my obsession. And hence, this song has left me so shaken.

 Bones, sinking like stones,
All that we fought for,
Homes, places we've grown,
All of us are done for.
And we live in a beautiful world,
Yeah we do, yeah we do,
We live in a beautiful world,

 Oh, all that I know,
There's nothing here to run from,
Cos yeah, everybody here's got somebody to lean on

                                              

In the context of the trailer, the lyrics come across as a plea for mercy. Despite all the destruction,devastation, we do live in a beautiful world where there is hope, life, the capacity to change to become better, to evolve. 

I think it comes across as a wake up call for all the cynics and the people who like to watch the world burn, or simply allow it to burn; we live in a beautiful world- your arguments about all the atrocities and bitterness are futile... nothing/nobody is perfect. We simply have to strive for change and to make this world a better place. This is our world, our home... we can't let it burn, and if you're going to stand still and do nothing, don't become a hindrance to the efforts of others.

Yes, I see how that can be a little didactic... no worries... I'm not preaching, this only an interpretation.

I think we need songs like these in today's day and age. We need music that will give us hope, inspiration and revive our faith in humanity. We are living in tough times and being a literature student I've studied literature, art and music through the ages... it may have been morose and often criticized and condemned the world for what it was, but it still left the reader's hopeful.

I believe that music, visuals and lyrics have to power to bring about change. They can help us feel hopeful. I'm not implying that art has a purpose or that it's completely aesthetic... all that I'm saying is, it has the power to makes us feel, make us think, make us ponder, make us shiver and shudder and as long as we feel those, we will never become effigies that shall stand by while the world burns.

This particular song, for instance has provoked a lot of thinking. If it does the same for you, please share your experiences, I'd love to hear them :)

Have a cookie day :)