tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85088938229883021002024-02-20T09:50:37.001-05:00Voices Of The SoulCharles Dundeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08530562700145298328noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508893822988302100.post-13690393148619043012017-12-25T10:07:00.002-05:002017-12-27T10:05:32.517-05:00Harvard-Christmas Day<div style="text-align: justify;">
Journal<br />
Dec. 25<br />
<br />
Late afternoon, Christmas Day, I trudged through new fallen snow<br />
toward a secret place within the confines of the Harvard campus.<br />
A regal iron lion standing guard demands “what is your business?”<br />
I answer, I’ve come to find meaning in desolation and hear the<br />
whispers from the ghosts of American giants.” He stands aside<br />
allowing me to pass. It is breathlessly beautiful as a peaceful<br />
loneliness prevails. A late December flurry blankets the campus<br />
weighing down ancient trees, living beings bearing witness to the<br />
intellectual and spiritual seeds of the American nation and the values<br />
of its founders. Here, in a private courtyard, the now is as pure as<br />
snow falling on a billion year-old mountain at the end f the world,<br />
one that has never known a human presence. That purity will remain<br />
another 11 days with the exception of an occasional foraging squirrel<br />
and until the students return to campus. The students and faculty<br />
have flown with the geese to warmer climes for the holidays and to<br />
the familiar cheerfulness of home, leaving me alone a million miles<br />
from nowhere in the solitude of my own thoughts.<br />
<br />
Everything is quietly muffled gray and white with occasional gusts swirling<br />
snow into corners of windows, decorating wrought iron gates, and<br />
capping Reverend Harvard in a crown of white as he tries to stand in the<br />
way of mendacity, ignorance, and materialism. My only three-dimensional<br />
companion, a foraging squirrel, who like myself is trying to find sustenance<br />
in a place of isolation. In the distance over the yard, I see feathery<br />
temperamental clouds drifting over Greco-Roman temples, smoke bellowing<br />
from chimneys whose furnaces struggle to keep empty Dickens era<br />
65<br />
buildings warm and where an occasional, forgotten Christmas light blinks<br />
through a frosty window in hopes of being seen.<br />
As I watch the squirrel carry a nut, I wonder as I always have, how people<br />
find meaning and beauty in lonely, forsaken places. Although how they<br />
find it is not as important as seeing the light myself in people and places<br />
where it’s assumed only darkness exists.<br />
<br />
The setting sun darkens the yard, further chilling the air, prompting me to<br />
seek a more hospitable place to continue ruminating—hopefully in a<br />
room cast in rosy firelight whose sparks throw bobbing shadows on a tea<br />
pot and a reading lamp attached to a padded chair facing a large window<br />
that looks-out onto the falling snow.</div>
Charles Dundeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08530562700145298328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508893822988302100.post-69732792309594075832014-08-20T09:44:00.000-04:002015-03-21T01:56:13.847-04:00Sad Ballerinas<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sad ballerinas dance<br />
in burning fields<br />
all night long, <br />
trying to forget <br />
the people they love.<br />
<br />
Writhing in ecstatic trance,<br />
they move in perfect sync, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> a gift attained, <br />
from endless nights<br />
of unwanted practice.<br />
<br />
All night, all night<br />
they dance…<br />
exposing wounds, <br />
revealing hearts<br />
and provoking<br />
the disembodied souls <br />
who weep at humanness.<br />
<br />
Although no ever sees, <br />
they dance, sensually, <br />
beautifully, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">all night long<br />
performing to music<br />
of forsaken dreamers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Charles Dundeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08530562700145298328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508893822988302100.post-21384890178600313522014-02-10T17:34:00.000-05:002014-02-10T17:36:59.945-05:00Meditation By Candlelight<br />The stillness of darkened shadows<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
created of candle’s blaze</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
burn the sun’s core,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
on an ordinary wall,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
illuminating unspeakable truths,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 114.8pt;">
<br />
shattering the shroud, <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
attaining the sacred space,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a sanctuary from the
world</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
confined to ordinary senses.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNdqrQ0pfZ6kD74kix9chEXzwKhJmY8oM_u0G4T07Bfd_3makJWVvseYRLP9OP1gT3nyzvQvBLmy2fbK-sJbEv2GDmlzNfsn_s0OSbFYqTApbXhchY-Wn8u-5j_h1l4xMBCzHTc2rOMAa/s1600/candle_zps253a8e77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNdqrQ0pfZ6kD74kix9chEXzwKhJmY8oM_u0G4T07Bfd_3makJWVvseYRLP9OP1gT3nyzvQvBLmy2fbK-sJbEv2GDmlzNfsn_s0OSbFYqTApbXhchY-Wn8u-5j_h1l4xMBCzHTc2rOMAa/s1600/candle_zps253a8e77.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Charles Dundeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08530562700145298328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508893822988302100.post-24562365480800471882013-04-17T21:50:00.001-04:002015-03-21T01:58:03.008-04:00The Cranes ©<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[3]">One by one,</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[4]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[5]">baffled mourners</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[6]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[7]">drifted back</span></span><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0"><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[0]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[1]"> toward fragile sanctuaries,</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[2]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[3]">leaving her alone</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[4]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[5]"> to gaze the abyss</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[6]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[7]">of freshly churned earth –</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[8]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[9]">where the once beautiful body lay</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[10]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[11]">beginning the slow passage</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[12]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[13]">back to dust.</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[14]" /><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[15]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[16]">As she knelt </span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[17]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[18]"> craving his presence,</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[19]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[20]">Apollo blazed West</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[21]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[22]">meandering to destiny </span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[23]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[24]">threatening to leave her alone</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[25]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[26]">in the land of night,</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[27]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[28]">where nocturnal creatures</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[29]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[30]">dwell ominously therein.</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[31]" /><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[32]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[33]">But she remained faithful,</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[34]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[35]">still at one with him,</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[36]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[37]">her humanness</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[38]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[39]">causing signs</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[40]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[41]"> in the heavenly places,</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[42]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[43]">provoking the servants</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[44]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[45]"> to summon the cranes—</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[46]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[47]">to break the veil,</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[48]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[49]"> their startling appearance</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[50]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[51]">and poetic laments</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[52]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[53]">letting her know</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[54]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[55]"> she was not alone,</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[56]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[57]">giving her strength,</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[58]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[59]">to rise from her knees.</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[60]" /><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[61]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[62]">As she drove off</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[63]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[64]">into night –</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[65]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[66]">the cranes followed,,</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[67]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[68]">flying around and around—</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[69]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[70]">until the cemetery’s gates </span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[71]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[72]">clung shut behind;</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[73]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[74]"> but now, she knew </span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[75]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[76]">he would be with her,</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[77]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][4][1]{comment10200896381233316_6190348}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[78]">all the days of her life.</span></span></span></span></span>Charles Dundeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08530562700145298328noreply@blogger.com0