In Memoriam

In memory of a student I taught, who was just 16 when she committed suicide last Sunday, I'd like to post the following. It's the lyrics from a song by Paul Simon, which has been running through my head all week.

The first thing everyone noticed about Janny was her big, bright eyes.

Bright Eyes
by Paul Simon

Is it a kind of dream,
Floating out on the tide,
Following the river of death downstream?
Oh, is it a dream?

There's a fog along the horizon,
A strange glow in the sky,
And nobody seems to know where you go,
And what does it mean?
Oh, is it a dream?

Bright eyes, Burning like fire.
Bright eyes, How can you close and fail?
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Bright eyes.

Is it a kind of shadow,
Reaching into the night,
Wandering over the hills unseen,
Or is it a dream?

There's a high wind in the trees,
A cold sound in the air,
And nobody ever knows when you go,
And where do you start,
Oh, into the dark.

Bright eyes, burning like fire.
Bright eyes, how can you close and fail?
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Bright eyes.

Such a tragedy about your student, madpoet. It's very sad to hear such a thing.

Just as a respectful aside, though; the lyrics - and music - to 'Bright Eyes' were by Mike Batt. They were sung by Art Garfunkel for the film 'Watership Down', but Paul Simon had no connection, as far as I know.

Oh, I thought they were by Paul Simon. I remembered the song from that movie.