“The power of association”, “ You are what you eat.” Mantras steely imbedded in my operating system. Crutching around our house I pause to wonder if this also applies to innate objects that we brush up against or subconsciously consider? Since June last year, one of the first things I walk past each morning is a beautifully bound version of “Les Miserables”. The Wretched. Has this been a subtlety I have missed? Should I have moved this book, perhaps hidden it? Shunned its generous giver for the omen it could present? Perhaps if I hadn’t walked past it as frequently as I have, (at least 400 times), or had it next to my bed, (think of the hours I have slept next to it!), its wretchedness may never have rubbed off onto me?
This book is thick, it’s message long, it’s story heavy with pain and sweat. It groans with injustice, upheaval, impending disaster. Who needs a seer, when you consider the likelihood of disaster connected with the intense association with this book! It was an accident waiting to happen. Talk about the bleeding obvious! All my questions of “Why” have been answered. Doesn’t there have to be someone or something to blame for my misery and wretchedness? Victor Hugo, you ruined my plans, turned my life upside down, rendered me “useless”. Did he write a book on hope as well? Or just the wretched? “The Last Day of the Condemned Man”, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. It’s not getting any better! Thankfully I don’t own those titles. Even though with restricted movement and dysfunctional muscles I’m feeling more and more like the hunchback with every passing day, I’m pretty confident I’ve escaped that association.
More fortunately, what I have been walking past (and sleeping beside), is the battle, the dedication to cause, the determination, the liberation, the hope, the victory. Thinking about it now, I can actually hear the charachters singing. Perhaps it’s a message for me, perhaps Hugo has plans to spare me. Perhaps there is power in this personal association, this “rub”. Surely the message from the barricades, heavily laden with imagery of walking, standing, climbing. strength and tomorrow refers to me! The amount of limbs required for success in this song is overwhelming. The darkest night WILL end, the sun WILL rise and there is CLIMBING to the light. I’m getting pins and needles in my legs, it must be a sign of excitement. Thank you Victor Hugo!
Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night?
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light.
For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies.
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise.
They will live again in freedom
In the garden of the Lord.
They will walk behind the plough-share,
They will put away the sword.
The chain will be broken
And all men will have their reward.
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes…
Tomorrow comes!
I too, feel the pins n needles! Thanx for the thoughts!!!! We SHALL rise again!!!!