art of henri de toulouse-lautrec
the thing about sad songs --
-- they make me so happy
~ Emmylou Harris
What is it, I wonder, that makes us love the blues, the sad country ballad, the somebody done somebody wrong song, the dark forces of pulling apart? Sure, I'm talking about song-writers, poets, and artists -- we're the worst, I suppose, but is anybody rushing out to buy totally happy music? To buy novels or see movies without any conflict or struggle?
A lot of people, though, seem to be able to see the flick, get their safe dose of tragicomedy, and go home. Is it only those of us striving to be creative who turn our lives, and those of people around us, into little operas? I know people who appear to be continually happy, and it seems to me they must be running on some alternative fuel to the stuff I burn. I fear, sometimes, that the urge to tell a good story gets all mixed up with living a life that makes a good story. The problems really seem to arise when the tales of our existence are winding down and we try to get to a "happily ever after" line. I keep writing, but some days I feel I'm getting farther from that ending .
~ Ralph Murre
