Philip Seymour Hoffman: 'In the arms of the angel'

PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN 

July 23, 1967 - February 2, 2014

Like many of you, the news of Phillip Seymour Hoffman's death yesterday hit me hard.  As an actor he travelled regularly to the deepest parts of himself to fashion the face - the many faces - of humanity he presented to the world. But he was no ordinary actor, he was one of the great and the gifted. There is something about the greatest artists, whether they be painters, poets, dancers, directors, writers, artists or actors that allows them to access the hearts of men - our dark spots, our brightest hopes - and reflect them back to us. That is their great talent. Like angels they take us by the hand and show us glimmers of our true selves and in doing so, give us a glimpse of God. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was one of those angels; in life he gave and gave of himself despite fighting a constant battle with his own demons. In death, may he rest in the arms of his own angel and may he find some comfort there.


 

"Angel" by Sarah McLachlan

Spend all your time waiting
for that second chance
for a break that would make it okay
there's always some reason
to feel not good enough
and it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
oh beautiful release
memories seep from my veins
let me be empty
and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

in the arms of the angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here

so tired of the straight line
and everywhere you turn
there's vultures and thieves at your back
and the storm keeps on twisting
you keep on building the lies
that you make up for all that you lack
it don't make no difference
escaping one last time
it's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

in the arms of the angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here