Death and Duty

In the movie, "Forrest Gump," Gary Sinise played Lt. Dan Taylor; a man convinced he had been robbed of his destiny of dying gloriously in battle. In many ways I know how the character feels. There is a saying, it feels old, although I first ran into it in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series: "Death is lighter than a feather, Duty is heavier than a mountain." I had to read a friend the riot act last night, and I'm feeling depressed about it this morning.

Had I had the chance to go to battle when it was my turn in '90, I might not have survived the experience. This would all be over now, and I wouldn't have to worry about the multitude of problems that seem to be piling up. Yes, I would have missed some pretty incredible times, but somehow, from the middle of a time of troubles, those annis mirablis seem distant and hazy. The problems are closing in on me, and although I know things will look bright again, I can't see the light in the distance.

A glorious death in battle would have meant an end to these cares. I would be safely in heaven, without these things to worry about. Still, I have to hold on to the thought that there is still something I need to do here before I can take that rest. The heavy duty still has a claim on me.


DEATH is stronger than all the governments because the governments are men and men die and then death laughs: Now you see ’em, now you don’t.

Death is stronger than all proud men and so death snips proud men on the nose, throws a pair of dice and says: Read ’em and weep.

Death sends a radiogram every day: When I want you I’ll drop in—and then one day he comes with a master-key and lets himself in and says: We’ll go now.

Death is a nurse mother with big arms: ’Twon’t hurt you at all; it’s your time now; you just need a long sleep, child; what have you had anyhow better than sleep?
- Carl Sandburg
Death Snips Proud Men