A tug upon the string

In the background I am listening to old R.E.M. songs. I was enormously enthusiastic for their music, once, though my interest dropped off geometrically after Lifes Rich Pageant. No matter; I am reminded, listening now, to how beautiful so much of their output was. And, though I'd never have put it on my shortlist of Top R.E.M. Songs back in the day, hearing it now, I am deeply moved by "Wendell Gee".

First, and more simply, it is a very pretty tune, though I could have done without the decorative (and decidedly non-virtuoso) banjo.

But second, and more important, its theme is (I think, to the extent one can make sense of the lyrics at all) the saddest thing of all. And to be able to speak of that theme from anything like personal experience, and yet still create something, is heroic.

I have known people -- quite a lot of people -- who don't comprehend how depression can be a terminal illness. Those of you who really don't understand that have my admiring envy. Those of you who do have my infinite empathy and compassion.