I don’t drink anymore.

Life no longer feels like the world has me by the throat, where the only momentary escape is found at the bar.

Drinking at New Year was the worst… Celebrating the passage of time.

Listening to those awful drunken resolutions.

Jesus wept and well he might!

I have begun Bukowski’s Factotum in earnest. I am 57 pages in with no end in sight.

Hank Chinaski seems without a plan and traveling all over the country from rooming house to rooming house, from bar to park bench.

It brings me back to my youth and a time faraway.

This is where I an now. In the lap of luxury, reading. I am tired of people generally however I don’t long for solitude the way Hank did.

If I weren’t a parent of a child who depends on me I am fairly certain I might have more in common with Chinaski than I dare to imagine…

Dennis Mantin

I unlocked the parental code on my daughters computer!

The world is still turning and gravity works!

The schools are returning to in classroom teaching!

Things could be worse.

All is very quiet here…

Anticipation says this will not last long.

The year is hours from being over and it has been a year to behold.

We survived which is more than can be said for some.

I have learned to stop making plans and accept what I am powerless to change.

I also recognize that we are far from powerless.

The water broke at midnight.

The cries were heard at one.

The child was in a hurry.

Her life had just begun.

The feeding frenzy started.

Her hunger true and fast.

I loved her from the get-go.

She seemed connected to the past.

I watch, I learn, I like, I see.

There is no greater time.

I’ve had some ups, and lived some downs.

And found some words that rhyme.

I’ve been thinking and keeping things low. Keepin it down here on the need to know. Me and my girl we are and we’re flying solo. Masks are off but our faces won’t show.

Sign says open however there be a crowd. I’ve been changing some and feeling proud. Liking it all quiet now and not too loud. Masks are off can you hand me my shroud.

Masks are off, yeah its OK.

Masks are off, come on let’s play.

Masks are off on the other side.

Masks are off, wow what a ride.

I’ve been thinking and keeping things low. Keepin it down here on the need to know. Me and my girl we are and we’re flying solo. Masks are off but our faces won’t show.

All these efforts keep it simple.

Somehow go astray.

The experience of being human.

Lives on another day.

I’m not married to these failures.

There’s a light in distance shone.

I’m not certain where we’re going.

Just enjoy until we’re gone.

I’ve been trying to change my nature.

It’s the way I start my day.

To be kinder and more silent.

I get on my knees I pray.

I’ve been trying to change my my nature.

For years to change my mind.

All my efforts I’ve concluded.

Have arrived at just be kind.

There’s a moment when we have IT.

That moment we all know.

When things can get no clearer.

When truth and colors show.

Sometimes we see at a sunrise.

Sometimes in dark of night.

When silence is the road map.

When awesome is the sight.

That moment when time changes.

When what was lost is found.

When someone takes your breath away.

And leaves you smiling at the sound.