For Farrah (Fawcett)

[Lamar Cole]

A great beauty has passed from this life.
Of good times and sometimes toil and strife.
Some will say that she went to a better place.
Look at the blue sky or a white cloud, you will still see her face.

Movements like those of a gazelle in flight.
Hair that shone like gold on a moonlit night.
Eyes that could touch your soul.
And essence like that of a red rose.

Farrah, you fought hard to stay here on earth with us.
But when God calls you, go you must.
Whenever we feel a summer breeze or april rain.
It will seem like you are near.
And in our hearts, your memory will always remain dear.

[grotto]

Thousands died today, no news
Tragedy was a mere blip
No tears were shed, no movies made
There wasn’t enough vanity to bother
A few drop from a shallow pool, none were missed
We quiver over fallen idols
What is it we really pity?

[MorpheusSandman]

These two pieces make a wonderful contrasting pair; a genuine elegy VS a cynical reflection. I think I'm more inclined to feel the genuine, but intellectually the cynical view fascinates me more; probably because I think celebrity would make a great subject for such a study into human proclivity.

[qimissung]

The first one so tender, the second so skeptical. I love the question that it asks: "What is it we really pity?"

[Buh4Bee]

I believe the significance of this celebrity's death was what killed her. She died from anal cancer. It is shocking to associate this kind of cancer to a celebrity like Farrah Fawcett. She was able to use her story to promote awareness. I watched Farrah's Story on Hulu last night. I think the money and access to the best cancer care helped her to live longer and more comfortably. In the end, the cancer killed her as it can kill everyone else.

There is a final scene of the movie when her son comes to visit her from jail in hand cuffs/ankle shackles and a LA County jail jump suit. He was arrested for drug use or something related to drugs. This is how he sees his mother for the last time. It's very telling, demonstrating how easy the glamorous life is, but also how shallow and self-adsorbed this existence can be.