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 You Wanted From This life, Even So?

Benedict Arnold

And Did You Get What
 You Wanted From This life, Even So?


Just tonight on aMug, I learned for the first time of a famous short story writer, Raymond Carver (1938-88). The library is sending me one of his books, and in learning about him I found his beautiful epitaph!
So here it is, is this true for you, what is your answer?

LATE FRAGMENT

And did you get what

you wanted from this life, even so?

I did.
And what did you want?

To call myself beloved, to feel myself
beloved on the Earth.

Posted - April 16, 2017
Tags : None

Responses


  • 745
    No. I have felt momentary mindlessness within nature's embrace, but not loved.. not yet anyway.

    this is really beautiful Virginia, I hope you enjoy the book. He sounds really intriguing and someone I would love to check out one day, so thank you for sharing this. :)
      April 16, 2017 11:33 PM MDT
    3

  • Hi NobodyLair, I loved it too...
    And I just went back to check, because I want to give credit here...it is Welby Quentin on this site who mentioned Raymond Carver. It seems like SO much of my reading comes from online recommendations now, and looking at his life and the reviews, I am eager for this book.

    Turns out Carver was born in Klatskanie, Oregon, not that far from me in Washington State...and he died in Port Angeles, where I spent time as a child! What a wonderful discovery, you are so welcome.
      April 16, 2017 11:45 PM MDT
    3

  • I've gotta give one of those "yes and no" answers. 

    As a youngster, and even as young adult, I shared Carver's desire. If not "beloved" I wanted to be liked. I even wanted to be admired, to some extent. I wanted others to see my achievements and think, "Wow! He's done well." So that's the No part of my answer. 

    But somewhere along the way I realised that what other people thought wasn't so important -- they really can't see far past the persona we choose to show them. It was my self-perception that mattered most and, looking back over a long lifetime, I can be reasonably satisfied. Given the chance to go back and change anything, I'd refuse. To change one thing, no matter how small, would cause a ripple effect that might blight the whole.
     


      April 16, 2017 11:39 PM MDT
    4

  • Oh Dozy that is such a beautiful splendid wonderful, and poignant, answer. Thank you.
      April 16, 2017 11:46 PM MDT
    2

  • 8214
    It doesn't matter any longer.  I'm at the end of my life and it is too late. 
      April 17, 2017 5:32 AM MDT
    3

  • Your answer pulls at my heart, MorningStar...
      April 17, 2017 8:00 AM MDT
    0

  • That's very sad. I'm so sorry.
      April 17, 2017 12:04 PM MDT
    0

  • Undecided ...
    You can't always get what you want
    You can't always get what you want
    You can't always get what you want
    But if you try sometimes well you might find
    You get what you need
      April 17, 2017 5:47 AM MDT
    1

  • The Rolling Stones!
      April 17, 2017 7:59 AM MDT
    0

  • 6988
    That epitaph is a bit mushy for me------ I would say something like -- "where's my million dollars?"
      April 17, 2017 5:54 AM MDT
    1

  • Oh I am smiling bhwilson - back to basics, here!
      April 17, 2017 7:58 AM MDT
    0

  • My "this life" is ongoing....at this point, the things I've wanted are just now starting to happen....love of the most amazing man and happiness.
      April 17, 2017 6:18 AM MDT
    3

  • I always read your posts with delight.
      April 17, 2017 8:02 AM MDT
    1

  • Thank you Virginia
      April 17, 2017 2:16 PM MDT
    1

  • No. I did not seek disappoint, frustration and depression.
      April 17, 2017 9:53 AM MDT
    1

  • What I myself do know, Whistle6, is that you are an insightful contributor on this site aMug, and I appreciate you for that.
      April 17, 2017 3:22 PM MDT
    0

  • Thank you.
      April 17, 2017 3:33 PM MDT
    0

  • 22891
    no, i wish
      April 19, 2017 6:02 PM MDT
    0