Time
By: Warren Helms
I think Van Morrison used the subject of time and patience in his work. That he tried to interpret the feeling of urgency we all get to want to rush... and that we must learn that sometimes it is better to wait for the moment to blossom into its full potential.
~Waiting Game~
"Sometimes pure joy it comes with patience"
In life, there are lots of instances that require one to wait before they can truly be enjoyed. For example a good steak or a good meal, it has to be fully prepared before it can be enjoyed to its fullest potential. Or a more common one being wine, it has to sit many years on a shelf waiting to reach perfection.
"I am the observer who is observing"
As an observer, one is required to have great patience due to the high amount of time required in making an observation. They have to be able to make these observations in a totally unbiased manner, untainted by any outside ideals.
"When the leaves come tumbling down, remember"
Fall comes around once a year, the time spent waiting for this single event requires patience throughout three quarters of a year. Even after the event, the memory remains, possible due to the joy of receiving a pleasure after exerting the effort and time to witness such an event.
~The Healing Game~
"I'’m back on the corner again"
It appears that he has been in this situation once, and has the patience to wait it out and start over again. In order for wounds to heal it takes time and patience for one to be mended back into a safe state.
"Sing their songs of praise '‘Bout their golden days"
Although that time had past... memories remained within the ones that had experienced it. Now they sit with patience until their time of life passes.
~Precious Time~
"”Precious time is slipping away"
Much patience was spent waiting for that precious moment in time. Once it occurs, that precious time seems to pass far too quickly, leaving one with the emotion of being robbed of their moment. But as it is said, time will also heal many a wound, no matter its severity.
"Well the fire'’s still in me and the passion burns"”
Despite the passing moment, a "fire" of passion remains for that cherished moment. Though it may be lost in time... it still carries weight and meaning to those affected by it.
"”I love a medley '‘til the day I die"
In order to experience the full medley of life, one has to maintain patience throughout the event in order to savor its full potential. A medley cannot be taken in at one moment and fully comprehended right then at its given moment. It has to be thought out, and tested with time to unravel its many mysteries.
Time is but a human concept... and the emotions normally associated with it can be devastating or a great pleasure at its given moment. Patience is attached time since what we want cannot be given at that moment. Even though time was created by humans, it still holds much significance in everything we do. We practically live by it. Our bodies organic structure is created in time... it grows, it develops. But then, at a set moment within our "“internal clock"”, the bodys’ organic structure starts to crumble. Thus beginning the process of deterioration. It is that very process that makes us "clock watchers"” to our own end. It makes us treasure that given amount of time in which we have to live. But with that comes the patience and wait for the "“certain end"” which we all face. We watch in observance as others carry out the process before our very eyes, and are also being watched by other curious eyes. We remember those times of ups and downs throughout our "“time span"”. A good example of this is Roy Batty and the other androids of Blade Runner. Roy is subject to many experiences that are beyond even human conception as he is enslaved by humans to do their work. But even he “"feels"” and is touched by those rare moments in time that he is afraid shall be lost forever. It is best described in what he says... before his timely death. “"I've seen things you people wouldn'’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams... glitter in the dark near Tanhauser Gate. All those... moments will be lost... in time, like tears... in rain. Time... to die."” It is the very cherished moments like those that we all take in and keep, in hopes that time will somehow make it last forever. But the truth being... once those moments have passed... they truly are lost, in time, washed away as if "tears in the rain."”
I think that along the lines of "“time, patience, and life"”, Philip K. Dicks'’ "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" and Van Morrisons' theme have a lot in common. That it is the very moments in the time of ones life that causes the unstoppable craving for more. The androids had tasted life, and wanted more, but the creator had made them with an expiration date. They went to any extent in order to preserve their memories that they carried with them, in hopes of letting the moment flourish into an eternity. But all moments have to die eventually, just as we must one day pass on to make room for new beings, to create and enjoy their own moments in life.
I think Van Morrison realized this, and tried to tie it in with his work, that moments in time are what drive us to either keep waiting patiently or give up in haste. That the patient one is greatly rewarded in the end for their efforts of time and moments given up in hopes of an even greater instant. Possible life is just a large test of our patience, given by a "“higher power"” and that we must keep that flame burning within us lit, to show for our efforts. Even after they have tumbled down from a graceful moment into the form of a crumpled lifeless leaf in the months of fall, we do not forget... Those live on forever within us, as a memory, nah... something more, as an experience that continues to grow and flourish within ourselves. To be cherished forever... eternally... internally. To never reoccur in the realm of actual time.
