There was no one present save his nurse and she left us to ourselves, I stood by his bed and took his hand. We stayed like that for a long time, not saying anything. Suddenly he looked up and said, "Patti, did art get us?"
I looked away, not really wanting to think about it. "I don't know, Robert, I don't know."
Perhaps it did, but no one could regret that. Only a fool would regret being had by art; or a saint.
-- Patti Smith "Just Kids"
This book just wrecked me. To read about the life Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe had, how they lived, the people they knew and met and the things they did, all for the sake of and love of art.
It's a life I've fantasized about living, but one that I not only would not have the cajones to actually attempt, but one that I think is just not possible in this day in age. Sad.
Everyone should experience a friendship/relationship in their lives that receives the kind of loving tribute that Patti wrote about her and Robert. It was absolutely beautiful.
No comments:
Post a Comment