My great-grandfather, who had a burr in his long johns like me, pedaled by bike across the United States in the late-1800s, stopping along the way to write for the Tombstone Epitaph in Tombstone, Arizona Territory.
It is nice poetry that a newspaper be called an “epitaph.” Our acts may outlive us, but more likely they will be tossed out like yesterday’s paper.
Julius Caesar said: “Veni. Vidi. Vice.” (I came. I saw. I conquered.)
I would scratch out those words and put different, better ones, in their place.
What is the point of conquering? I really don’t get it.
Heading blithely down the road to our own deaths, our only triumph is to have made the universe tremble with our joy.
When I die, if there is an epitaph, I want it to say that I enjoyed my days, that I filled them with joy. If it is of any use to anyone who comes afterward, I want them to know that I wrote, I danced and I played.
And that it was more than enough.
I’ve added your six-word memoir to the book I just purchased by that name – Not Quite What I Was Planning:Six-Word Memoirs. I’m still working on mine – so far it’s She Never Danced Enough – but I still have two words to go. Have a great week!
Maraya: Incredible. I didn’t know there was a six-word memoir genre. Until today. Well… I’ve got mine done! Besos. We should dance more.
“… our only triumph is to have made the universe tremble with our joy.”
I love that Kevin!!!
Thank you!!!