First Gong Vol. 8: Thrust FIRST GONG 8 THRUST | Page 148

VAIN - Andrew Whyte
The ecclesiast is best known for two lines
One about vanity which is a riff on the futility of existence
The other, about the circularity of time as
Eon, Chronos and Chairos
About vanity, he was there before Camus and Rimbaud with all their
existentialist posturing
Before Nieztche and Schopenhauer and the will to power
Vain as futile
The futility of endeavour, like publishing a book, not peer reviewed and
read only by you.
Schooling as a Solicitor and winding up as a long distance truck driver.
A Biochemistry professor as a mobile mechanic
An MD as an auto medic
Or maybe Vain as ephemeral, insubstantial
Inconsequential
Meaning nothing, adding no value, less than nothing.
A ravished, ravaged face made up
A distended belly tucked into a dress
Vain because the face will be revealed
And the belly will continue its journey
South.
Vain- prides in things you cannot and do not control
Place of birth. Good genes. Good hair.
Inherited wealth.
A mainframe in an estate, for the outlier.
Eight hours of daily music in a basement in
Hamburg.
That, ended badly in a stairwell with a gunshot
for the outlier who compared himself with
the Divinity.
Vain and its cousins- vanity and vainglory.
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