I died
I dreamt I died. I rarely dream. When I do dream, I’m usually being chased by tigers or jumping into the stratosphere. Great heights. Wild animals. I don’t know what it means, if anything.
Thursday night I died. Most of the dream, which was vivid upon my awakening, has faded.
I remember running and dodging, but I don’t remember why I was running. I remember being shot at. The gun was not normal. It was long and U-shaped, and it didn’t shoot bullets. I remember the feeling of utter terror and astonishment at being hit (I just assumed I wouldn’t be). I remember falling to the ground and then being thrown into a third-person perspective. My body fell apart and was no more – I died. And then I woke up. Weird is what it was.
My question: is dying in a dream commonplace? What does it mean, if anything, besides being extremely sleep deprived?
Wandrers Nachtlied (Wanderers Night Song)
Der du von dem Himmel bist,
Alles Leid und Schmerzen stillest,
Den, der doppelt elend ist,
Doppelt mit Erquickung füllest,
- Ach, ich bin des Treibens müde,
Was soll all der Schmerz und Lust? -
Süßer Friede,
Komm, ach komm in meine breast! brust
You who art from heaven,
Who quiets all that is painfull,
Who twice fills with refreshment
that which is twice miserable.
- I am weary of the bustle
why all the pain? -
Sweet peace,
Come, come into my breast!
Goethe beautifully captures the longing for peace; but peace as tranquility amidst the storm, not the absence of the storm.
Addendum: Longfellow has produced a translation that is much more poetic than mine. Longfellow:
Thou that from the heavens art,
Every pain and sorrow stillest,
And the doubly wretched heart
Doubly with refreshment fillest,
I am weary with contending!
Why this rapture and unrest?
Peace descending
Come ah, come into my breast!