A Tribute

There are times of unbounded ecstasy. These are moments of sheer jubilation, though hard to come by, which we would like to etch forever into the chronicles of our life so as to recall them during the grayer periods of our mortal existence. These are sources of courage, hope and unbounded delight which are keep the years ticking by without us going quietly insane. These are times when we know we have reached that depth we always knew we had in us; times when there is so much happiness, it is almost vulgar; times when the ground disappears from our field of vision; times when we feel we should honour ourselves, not with marble statues and monetary rewards, but with an acknowledgement from within - that we are, indeed, awesome. At times like these, I listen to a song.

Then there are moments of unparalleled sorrow. Though universally proclaimed a cheap emotion, self pity has an almighty impact- drowning us, asphyxiating us and swallowing our minds as we plunge into an endless spiral... Lower and lower, as the worst memories hit us, again and again. And again, shattering whatever remains of a meager self-belief as we soak in our own tears. Life seems pointless, people become cruel and wicked beasts, and our head sinks so low, we barely see a few feet in front of our apologetic stride. At times like these, I listen to a song.

And then there are those inexplicable days. Hours crawl by and yet rip through life at a relentless pace, tearing apart the fabric which defines our world. And it does this all so slowly. Challenges pile up to form kilometer high columns and Helplessness is the only emotion left accessible to you. Frustration and dejection, which were once carefully tucked away in a corner, smirk viciously from the centre of your brain. Even tears fail you, as the bottle fails to uncork. Slowly, gently, the searing heat transforms into a bitter chill; pain gives way to emptiness and calm… As steel slides against flesh, the latter yields lightly, and you feel it leaving you, with the blood. You want to let it flow.

But, there's an alternative. I listen to a song.

"There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying."

The song is 'Comfortably Numb'. Thank you, Pink Floyd.