child of autumn
small boy cloaked in darkness
by pumpkin-light illuminated
son of All Hallow's Eve
mischievous but quiet
precocious yet silly
in a flash of lightning the boy
is gone
in his place stands a man
intelligent but silly
fun-loving yet quiet
the same, although changed
from boy to man
a thousand journeys have taken place
many thousands wait still to begin
as the year leads into another
the man learns that to be a true man
he must allow the child to survive
J 10.21.08
Friday, October 31, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
So Long, and Goodnight
My older nephew--I'll call him C--recently got a new job. The company provides computer-based security to military installations around the world. Three Marines started the company a little over twenty years ago. It's based here, just to the south of Knoxville, but the techies travel to various bases to do their work. C is really pleased with the job itself, the complexity of it, the challenge of doing something new. There's just one drawback.
He's been assigned to Iraq.
He's not military, but he'll be stationed on base and enjoy all the "benefits" of the base. He won't have to go outside the base while he's there, but should he need to, he'll have an armed guard or ten with him at all times. He's supposed to stay for a year, with 2 weeks' time off every three months. If he can stay a year, and only spend 2 (or maybe 4, I forget which) weeks of leave in the US, he'll receive a tax credit. A very large tax credit. Not that that's worth going to Iraq for, in my opinion, but it does make for a great incentive.
More than likely, C won't be here for Thanksgiving, and he definitely won't be here for Christmas. He'll miss being at home for his 30th birthday in March.
I didn't realize until last night how much I'm going to miss him. I also didn't count on feeling like I want to break down sobbing every time I think about it. He's my first nephew, you know? I remember when he was born. I remember feeding him, then him burping up all over me. :) There are so many things I remember about him from his childhood. And now I look at him and I see this almost 30-year-old man, hugely tall (6'8"), thoughtful, intelligent, good-looking, funny...
I told him today that he was so brave. He chose to take this job and this particular assignment because he wanted the challenge. No one forced him into it.
I pray to God that he comes home alive.
Before he leaves, I'm giving him a medallion with St Michael on one side and a guardian angel on the other, and I'm going to ask him to wear it from then on, for the year he's there. It may not help, but it surely can't hurt.
Goodbye, my little Kissyfur. God be with you, and all the others there. I love you so, so much.
He's been assigned to Iraq.
He's not military, but he'll be stationed on base and enjoy all the "benefits" of the base. He won't have to go outside the base while he's there, but should he need to, he'll have an armed guard or ten with him at all times. He's supposed to stay for a year, with 2 weeks' time off every three months. If he can stay a year, and only spend 2 (or maybe 4, I forget which) weeks of leave in the US, he'll receive a tax credit. A very large tax credit. Not that that's worth going to Iraq for, in my opinion, but it does make for a great incentive.
More than likely, C won't be here for Thanksgiving, and he definitely won't be here for Christmas. He'll miss being at home for his 30th birthday in March.
I didn't realize until last night how much I'm going to miss him. I also didn't count on feeling like I want to break down sobbing every time I think about it. He's my first nephew, you know? I remember when he was born. I remember feeding him, then him burping up all over me. :) There are so many things I remember about him from his childhood. And now I look at him and I see this almost 30-year-old man, hugely tall (6'8"), thoughtful, intelligent, good-looking, funny...
I told him today that he was so brave. He chose to take this job and this particular assignment because he wanted the challenge. No one forced him into it.
I pray to God that he comes home alive.
Before he leaves, I'm giving him a medallion with St Michael on one side and a guardian angel on the other, and I'm going to ask him to wear it from then on, for the year he's there. It may not help, but it surely can't hurt.
Goodbye, my little Kissyfur. God be with you, and all the others there. I love you so, so much.
Friday, October 17, 2008
OI!
CONGRATULATIONS LEATHERMOUTH!
It's wonderful news to read that this old-school, hardcore punk band has signed to Epitaph Records! The guys--ALL of them--have worked so long and so hard for this. Touring with Reggie and the Full Effect brought them out into the public eye; now signing with Epitaph will help them stay there. They deserve all the success they've had so far, and that which they'll undoubtedly receive from here on out.
L and I have been promoting Leathermouth every chance we get. Every time someone asks us about our T-shirts, we explain who LM is, and where that person can hear them. We even pimped the group to Henry Rollins!
Good luck to this excellent group! Can't wait for the next tour!
It's wonderful news to read that this old-school, hardcore punk band has signed to Epitaph Records! The guys--ALL of them--have worked so long and so hard for this. Touring with Reggie and the Full Effect brought them out into the public eye; now signing with Epitaph will help them stay there. They deserve all the success they've had so far, and that which they'll undoubtedly receive from here on out.
L and I have been promoting Leathermouth every chance we get. Every time someone asks us about our T-shirts, we explain who LM is, and where that person can hear them. We even pimped the group to Henry Rollins!
Good luck to this excellent group! Can't wait for the next tour!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Steps
echoes calling my name
out in the deep blue expanse of life
our hands never touch but
our arms are stretched to the limit
we each walk the same road
you on your side
me on mine
that gap between us seems like a million miles
sometimes
but still we keep on walking
season to season and back again
how many steps have we left behind
since the beginning
and how many are yet to be made before
we find our way
i thought you'd left the track
some time ago
distracted by visions
haunted by voices
chased by ghosts
my relief in finding you still beside me
was peculiar in its intensity
yet comforting in its presence
we will walk this road together
you and i
our destination known
but the route uncertain
and if you should stumble
rest easy for
i will carry you then
as i know
you will carry me
J 10.13.08
out in the deep blue expanse of life
our hands never touch but
our arms are stretched to the limit
we each walk the same road
you on your side
me on mine
that gap between us seems like a million miles
sometimes
but still we keep on walking
season to season and back again
how many steps have we left behind
since the beginning
and how many are yet to be made before
we find our way
i thought you'd left the track
some time ago
distracted by visions
haunted by voices
chased by ghosts
my relief in finding you still beside me
was peculiar in its intensity
yet comforting in its presence
we will walk this road together
you and i
our destination known
but the route uncertain
and if you should stumble
rest easy for
i will carry you then
as i know
you will carry me
J 10.13.08
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