Wolfe’s 105th

Monday is native son Thomas Wolfe’s birthday. It’s a date worth noting.

Wolfe, of Look Homeward Angel fame, grew up in Asheville. He immortalized this town in his book. Most people know the reference, though I think few have read it. It’s worth it if you have not. It’s worth it because, like so many, Wolfe did the only thing he knew how to do. He lived his purpose – writing. He found his story and got it down.

Wolfe lies buried here in Asheville, in Riverside Cemetery. It’s a beautifully solemn place. You should go sometime. And spend a minute at his gravesite, contemplating whether or not you’re living your purpose.

..a stone, a leaf, an unfound door; of a stone, a leaf, a door. And of all the forgotten faces.

Naked and alone we came into exile. In her dark womb we did not know our mother’s face; from the prison of her flesh have we come into the unspeakable and incommunicable prison of this earth.

Which of us has known his brother? Which of us has looked into his father’s heart? Which of us has not remained forever prison-pent? Which of us is not forever a stranger and alone?

O waste of loss, in the hot mazes, lost, among bright stars on this most weary unbright cinder, lost! Remembering speechlessly we seek the great forgotten language, the lost lane-end into heaven, a stone, a leaf, an unfound door. Where? When?

-Thomas Wolfe, born Oct. 3, 1900

This post, as first seen on Edgy Mama, has been slightly edited and reprinted with permission.