We had to relate a song to one of John Updike's
poems and we felt that the song from TOOL called Wings of Marie was the close we could get to the poem called Tossing and
turning because it has a much deeper meaning as far as the last section stating that we can only end around a corner. We think
that TOOL's song is stating the same thing just the fact that we go to Zion each day, but never realizing it.
Tossing and Turning
by John Updike
The spirit has infinite facets, but
the body
confiningly few sides.
There is the left,
the right, the back, the belly, and
tempting
in-betweens, northeasts and northwests,
that tip the heart and soon pinch circulation
in one or another arm.
Yet we turn each time
with fresh hope, believing that sleep
will visit us here, descending like
an angel
down the angle our flesh’s sextant
sets,
tilted toward that unreachable star
hung in the night between our eyebrows,
whence
dreams and good luck flow.
Uncross
your ankles. Unclench your philosophy.
This bed was invented by others; know
we go
to sleep less to rest than to participate
in the twists of another world.
This churning is our journey.
It ends,
can only end, around a corner
we do not know
we are turning.
Tool performing "Wings for Marie" live!
"10,000 Days (Wings Pt. 2)"
We listen to the tales and romanticize, how
we follow the path of the hero.
Boast about the day when the rivers overrun, How we'll rise to the height of our
halo.
Listen to the tales as we all rationalize, our way into the arms of the savior. Feigning all the trials
and the tribulations.
None of us have actually been there, Not like you...
Ignorant siblings in the congregation. Gather
around spewing sympathy, Spare me...
None of them can even hold a candle up to you. Blinded by choice, these
hypocrites won't see.
But enough about the collective Judas. Who could deny you were the one who illuminated? Your
little piece of the divine.
And this little light of mine, a gift you passed on to me I'm gonna let it shine to
guide you safely on your way.
Your way home...
Oh, what are they gonna do when the lights go down? Without
you to guide them all to Zion? What are they gonna do when the rivers overrun? Other than tremble incessantly.
High
is the way, but our eyes are upon the ground. You are the light and the way. They'll only read about. I only pray
heaven knows, when to lift you out.
10,000 days in the fire is long enough. You're going home...
You're
the only one who can hold your head up high. Shake your fist at the gates saying, "I have come home now...!" Fetch
me the spirit, the son and the father. Tell them their pillar of faith has ascended.
"It's time now! My time
now! Give me my Give me my wings...!"
Give me my
(Give me my wings)
You are the light, the way, that they will only
read about.
Set as I am in my ways and my arrogance. Burden of proof tossed upon the believers. You were my witness,
my eyes, my evidence, Judith Marie, unconditional one.
Daylight dims leaving cold fluorescence. Difficult to
see you in this light. Please forgive this bold suggestion. Should you see your maker's face tonight, Look him in
the eye. Look him in the eye and tell him, I never lived a lie, never took a life, But surely saved one.
