Some people see a skull and think its saying, “You are going to die.” Essayist David Sedaris’ latest book, “When You are Engulfed in Flames,” devotes an entire chapter to the skeleton that hangs in his bedroom repeating that scary sentence over and over.
But others—here’s hoping you’re one of them—see skulls as a reminder to live life to the fullest. Rebecca Collins, the jewelry designer responsible for the pretty (but a little creepy) bracelet shown here, likes to think positive.
“You don’t have to say that the skull means ‘memento mori’—remember death. You can say, ‘It’s a reminder to live for today.’”
This got Collins thinking about remembering in general and before you could say “Google” she was reading me a delightful poem titled “Forgetfulness” by former U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins:
“The name of the author is the first to go
followed obediently by the title, the plot,
the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel
which suddenly becomes one you have never read,
never even heard of…”
When, eventually, we got back to talking about her jewelry (rebeccacollinsjewelry.com) Collins said, “Skulls are historically timeless. They’re like crosses. They aren’t a trend. They’re forever.” And they’re everywhere. After all, we’ve all got one.
When Collins wears her skull designs—the bracelet shown is carved onyx set in silver ($1180, Neiman Marcus Chicago) — she’s telling the world, “I try to do what I want to do more than I need to do.” Living for today.
That’s a noble ambition and a goal to strive for.
“I spent my whole life doing what I need to. I used to be the ‘list’ queen. Now I don’t have a list,” she says.
And if that’s the message you’re emitting from an expensive skull bracelet or a $1 skull bandana from Wal-Mart all the better. It’s surely better than “You are going to die.”
Even if that’s an inevitable truth.
The Poet Laureate is appointed annually by the Librarian of Congress and is paid $35,000. The position has existed since 1937. Among notable Poet Laureates was Robert Frost (1958-59).
Skull and Bones is Yale University’s best known secret society. Bonesmen have included President George W. Bush as well as his father and grandfather plus cabinet members, Supreme Court justices and some of American’s most powerful corporate chieftains.
Tribune photo by Bill Hogan
Source: http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/
