That opaque interlude of childhood is far behind us.

Worn and tattered and splayed by uneven, unreliable memory…

Spread thin until it’s meaningless, no flavor, no substance…

Just unrelenting nonsense that needs to be stared down; gone but not forgotten.

We are in the heart of meaning NOW!! Standing, pacing, one step in front of the other, dealing with what needs be…

Maybe the opaque is required… maybe we need to grow before we can see behind that curtain and roll into the arms of Angel’s.

Dennis Mantin

The Expectations were on fire.

Virtues had grown thin.

Love was hanging… worn wire.

There was this need to win.

The penalties were not known.

The lines drawn in the sand.

Emotions were hot and blown.

And nothing much seemed planned.

You took the gold and money.

I have this heart and soul.

I’m not laughing, but you are funny.

I have the kid: that’s how we roll.

I was shocked into submission.

A freak of nature, strange and cruel.

Such sensation and humiliation.

To give such props to such a fool.

These are moments almost glowing.

In my memory, a three act play.

Where I smile in the knowing.

And live to fight another day.

I don’t think I owned a computer before I was 40.

I was almost 50 before I had a cellphone.

I’ve been writing on my WordPress account now for 10 years. This is easy.

Writing isn’t hard. Editing and sending files in the correct format is insanely challenging for me because I didn’t grow up with this technology. I learned to type on an actual typewriter.

Copy and paste.

Drag and Drop.

Really?

People say this like I’m supposed to know, and I don’t.

The only reason I long to be wealthy is to know someone who can drag and drop for me.

By the way… this photo was taken in Ireland, and the colors formed naturally from ice particles in the air. Or that’s what the brochure says!

I recognized my nature.

Not much was steeped in good.

There was this strange sensation.

Like maybe I just should.

Forget it all and start a new.

Take the narrow view to wide.

Take my head out from my ass.

And maybe look outside.

Not all is gain or glory.

Not all is pain and strife.

The road the path the choices made.

It’s a wild ride this life.

I can’t say I’m shocked. I didn’t expect less complaining. However, I did think there might be more gratitude.

I understand human nature for what it is: undeniable selfish.

I was told: ‘You will know a new freedom and a new happiness. You will be amazed before you are halfway through.’

Well, I must be nearing the halfway mark because I am truly amazed.

Having thoughts lots about dying.

And other things that I don’t know.

Its not the fear that’s got me down.

Just that I don’t want to go.

Now sure I know I have no choice.

Has been made abundant and clear.

This transformation is all the rage.

I just kinda like it here.

I hear all this complaining.

What’s wrong about this and that.

You never really stood a chance.

With an attitude like that.

A large gaping mouth set on a gigantic head, held up by a tiny neck unable to swallow their desires…

The horror! The horror!!

Now I have the visual of the narcissistic view.

They fear they don’t exist…

I was standing on the platform.

She started singing like a hymn.

Train arrived and took the gathered.

My feet were stuck with chances slim.

She was swayed in acapella.

I was lost in her motif.

I lifted up and drifted down.

In the end, I felt relief.

I left her in her shadows.

Asked no question with aplomb.

To speak would break the 4th wall.

But in my mind, I said: “C’mon.”