"Faithfulness to the past can be a kind of death above ground. Writing of the past is a resurrection; the past then lives in your words and you are free"

This quote speaks to the power of composing to bring the past to life. By faithfully recording the past, we can make sure that it is not forgotten. Writing of the past is a method of reanimating it, permitting it to reside on in our words. Through composing, we can release ourselves from the past, as we can form it and translate it in our own way. Writing of the past can likewise be a way of honoring it, as we can pay tribute to those who have actually gone before us. Composing of the past can also be a way of understanding it, as we can acquire insight into the lives of those who lived before us. Eventually, composing of the past can be a way of connecting with our ancestors and understanding our location on the planet.