June 21, 2005
I NEED A STONECUTTER
I've been re-reading As I Lay Dying, simply because it had been 25 years or so since I'd read it, and you forget the small things, the turns of phrase. Also, where else can you read prose about a child augering holes into his dead mother's face? Or think that she is a fish?
And I ran across this phrase:
"... my father used to say that the reason for living was to get ready to stay dead a long time."
Ah, man. That speaks to me.
I have finally found my epitaph.
I don't want to be a good-looking corpse. I want to look burnt-out and really, really DEAD.
I'm well on my way to accomplishing that goal.
Posted by: Acidman at June 22, 2005 9:15 AMI keep trying to communicate the same sentiment to my frightened, terminally ill stepfather. I tell him, "Christ, if you'd done one fucking thing in the last 25 years, you'd be ready for a little rest."
Posted by: spongeworthy at June 22, 2005 10:23 AM