"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, "O me! O life!…of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the the faithless…of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here-that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play *goes on* and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?" - Dead Poet's Society
With the recent passing of Robin Williams, it seemed appropriate to remind ourselves of this fantastic quote from his character, John Keating, in Dead Poet's Society.
What can make you feel more alive than words and art? That's exactly how we feel at Shiny Happy People Publishing.
I remember hearing this quote for the first time when I watched the movie years back. It resonated with me because those "noble pursuits" he mentioned were so not my gig. I like the passionate route. More often than not, it seems that artists get a bad rap, that their professions won't get them anywhere, that maybe they're just flailing along, waiting for their big break. But, one thing is always forgotten--their passion. It may take them forever, and it may never happen, but they have passion and they are following it until the end.
I think this falls perfectly into what Sara and I are trying to do with Shiny Happy People Publishing. We're following our own artistic talent and dreams. That's our verse.
We're bringing words to the world, one way or another, because words are life sustaining.
So, thanks Robin Williams, for giving us a quote that within it has all the inspiration we need to continue the play.
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| Photo courtesy of dlisted.com |
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