LORD, WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB

 



“Lord, we don't need another mountain
There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb
There are oceans and rivers enough to cross
Enough to last until the end of time”

From the song ‘What the World Needs Now’

by Dionne Warwick

 

Jimi Hendrix died on September 18, 1970. He had just crossed the age 27. But, in this short lifespan of his, he earned himself the title ‘The greatest instrumentalist (guitar) of all time.” Well, the world may think whatever and confer whatever title upon you, but, you alone know how exhausted you are due to overwork and personal insecurities… yes, how hard you find to catch a normal sleep… Therefore, the cause of this legend’s death points to excessive consumption of sleeping pills –- in fact, 18 times more than what was prescribed for him!

Why am I remembering Jimi Hendrix when I have never been one of his big fans. I don’t enjoy hard rock. But, I enjoy the stories of every human who achieves any stardom… I like the way they climb, even fall… It inspires me.

The reason I remember today Jimi Hendrix is for one of his beautiful quotes:

“When the power of love beats the love of power,

the world knows peace.”

Rings a bell?

Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, the young daredevil couple, have been dominating the world news for the entire day and night yesterday. Yes, they had climbed to the needle-peak atop New York city’s iconic tower –- Empire State Building. It’s a dizzy height of about 1,500 feet. They did it with no safety gear and in the broad daylight, as millions and millions watched them carry out this stunt -- and get themselves engaged, arrested, and charged with several offenses…

But, the world at large, had something to celebrate… It had come to them as a fresh breeze amidst the looming pessimism and hate… The world was witnessing what is often described as -- ‘love is in the air’. The huge banner they unfurled carried this amazing, timely message:

“When the power of love beats the love of power,

the world knows peace.”

How true that was!

But, hardly anyone was remembering Jimi Hendrix, who had made those words immortal before he died in 1970. Yes, he lived in America, and he lived when the world peace –- and the individual peace of a human –- were in tatters…





Ivan and Angela are Russians… They have carried out their stunt and unfurled the love and peace message in America… The world that is watching them included all of us…





Will the message be heard?

Close to six decades after Jimi Hendrix’s death, I can only say this:

“It will only fall on deaf ears.”

 

GERALD D’CUNHA

 

Pic.: 1. stefannyffenegger  2.  AZ Quotes

Video: The Tribune 

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