A PENCIL IS ENGRAVED WITH THE CHORD PROGRESSIONS FROM NIRVANA'S ALL APOLOGIES, AND PLACED AS A BOOKMARK INSIDE THE APOLOGY OF SOCRATES BY PLATO

people die
people are born
it was said best before my birth:
as for me, all I know is that I know nothing.

family die
strangers are born
then you read in a Men's Interest magazine that someone supposedly wise said:
the duty of youth is to challenge corruption.
which prompts you to think
what of the corruption of one's youth?

strangers become family
strangers die
then you find a quote in a poorly formatted html email where someone else certainly wise stated:
ordinary people seem not to realize that those who really apply themselves in the right way to philosophy are directly and of their own accord preparing themselves for dying and death.
from which arises the question within you
why, for what preparation is ever given for living?

family are born
family become strangers
supposed wisdom comes in the form of verse from the speakers:
all alone is all we are
it strikes a chord, though in the time that transpires to listen to it
you understand that approximately sixteen people have been born into this world

more strangers are born
more family are born strangers
eventually you stop thinking
and then comes sleep like the sleep of him who is undisturbed even by the sight of dreams
and as it comes, so do the words:
...for eternity is then only a single night

[BOOK, PENCIL, VINYL TILE - sculpture]

2012