This is timely
This time is
http://danbern.bandcamp.com/track/kids-prayer
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Letter to Myself at 16
Letter to Myself at 16
December 4,
2012
Dear Mike:
I have a few things to say to you that
may help guide you in some of the most wonderfully dark days that lie ahead.
Right off the bat, I need to tell you – there is no such thing as darkness;
it’s all degrees of light. As you are reading this right now, I imagine that
something is churning away in that tiny, magnificent mind of yours. Allow this
to continue. Find a way to make more light.
Do not be afraid of your sadness; she
is your greatest teacher, but she’s more than that. In time, you will learn how
to fill her and love her and turn her into pearls. I’ll let you in on a little
secret: depression will be your muse and your best friend. Stay true to her,
and she will reward you greatly.
I know you often wonder if they think
you are strange. Well, Mike, they do and you are. It’s the way you were born.
You have never had much use to think like everyone else; in truth, most of the
time you are unaware of social conventions. Stay true to this...it will be the
vessel that carries you through the coldest nights.
Hug Mrs. Blake. Yes, your English
teacher. It will be quite some time before you truly comprehend her fingerprint
on your life. She saves you. You are self destructive, and she knows it. She
will be the reason why you love to read. Did you think that you were any
different from Ray G. and Jim C.?
You’re going to have a Jesus moment
that will change your course; do not spend too much time fretting about all the
“things” you will lose because of this transition. That loss is insignificant.
Just know --Pastor Snyder will also save your life. His soul is true.
Now, (spoiler alert), you’re going to annoy some people,
(including Michele), with your Jesus phase; the quicker you learn to be
balanced, (accepting both your demons and angels), the quicker you will be
suited to love greatly, in all shapes, sizes, and perspectives. The institution
that will lead to your spiritual awakening will turn out to be the very enemy against
whom you will fight. Do not fear this. Your mission is larger than the cage of
Evangelicals. You are anointed, (this is a burden and blessing), and you have
been called to fight the battle for ALL who are oppressed. So, do your best to
speak boldly. Our future depends on it.
In college, you will be given a name for what happened
between you and Dan. Feel what you need to feel, but do not jump the track into
oblivion. Like I said, you are self-destructive. Forgive Dan. He will always be
your first, not Tricia or Tammy.
Forgive Dad. In time, you will discover how vulnerable and
weak he actually is. He is a broken man just like the rest of us. And here’s
the wonderful news, Mike: you will be one of Dad’s best friends; one of his
only friends. Continue to love him.
Finally, Mike, do not be afraid to do what you know is best
for you. You walk a lonely road, but I promise you, you are stronger than you
can ever imagine. I’m rooting for you; take comfort in that.
I do love
you like the smell of God in purple flowers,
Me
P.S.
There is
nothing to regret. You cannot change any of it, so embrace it; you will
understand this better in your late 30s, early 40s. Breathe. The life you
imagine is not the life you will have…be thankful for this. You are one amazing
and beautiful guy!
Poem -- Newtown, Connecticut
Newtown Connecticut
“Six minutes, six minutes, six minutes
Doug E Fresh you’re on.”
I
used to believe that six minutes happened so quick
Like
whatever was done could be unfixed
a
trick, a smile, some clever lie
all
can be unhinged, you’d be surprised.
But
in Newtown I realized
I
was the lie
We
were all undone in a click-click-click
not so slick
in that six-sick-shtick
now
we are scarred by the images
scared
of our image
we
are primal in our damage,
angels
turned to savages.
I
want to understand this,
comprehend
the pain
but
we are left with remains
of
shattered dreams and brains
this
alongside of my caged-in rage
thump
thump pumping, keeping me awake at night
my
powerful words were powerless,
raped
by shadows and fright
I
remained paralyzed through the night
I
was helpless and dangerous
I
couldn’t trust this
sadness,
like rolled up flesh, balled in my fists
The
Mayan calendar was off a bit
overpredicting
how long we would exist
Our
innocence was murdered on that Friday morn
now
we mourn
for every child to be born
we
are zombies at the carnival
clowns
in the cemetery
hit
the switch so we can end this song
Six
minutes, six minutes, six minutes Doug E Fresh
they’re
gone.
12/16-22/2012
msf
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