There’s real pain and suffering and there are real victims.

However this epidemic of wailing and bemoaning their plights, by those that feed at the troughs of luxury, may not be criminal, however it is pathetic. 

Dennis Mantin 

Bob said, ” Time is the enemy. ”

Bob and Howard are nearing the end of their careers and I will miss them both, for their intelligence and wit and I realize the amount of time I spend driving and listening to their voices on the radio is also closing, for I am older too.

The voices of discontent in the coffee houses and Yoga studio’s talking about spiritual connectedness and distain for white males; while maintaining the an air of not being racist, has got me thinking about long walks by myself and lunches with my daughter, while maintaining my abstinence from coffee and Yoga. 

Dennis Mantin 

I thought she was wicked for her meanness. I was wrong. It wasn’t so much what she did as much as she was my favorite person in the world following the death of my mother. 

She had the best of intentions, however tis work, wicked work, raising a child not your own; especially a boy entering puberty. 

Once the bloom is off the rose and the applause for generosity dies, I am guessing its resentment that takes the place of warm feeling heroics. 

I forgave long ago for being cast off, however this took time and therapy to understand this was not your choice as much as it was your ignorance. 

I am certain it’s hard to justify the decades of silence to those who would ask you, ” Why do you never hear from him after all you did?”

” The boy was just wicked. ”

Dennis Mantin 

I have been amazed, much more in youth then now, at the reasons for the lies and deceptions…

” You would sully your name and reputation for this? Really? Are you fucking kidding me?”

The horror of what they were capable of if the stakes were high, are the stuff of my nightmares. 

Ah… It’s not the gain, it’s the adventure of the con. I can rest peacefully now. 

Dennis Mantin 

Fred was a Holy Man.  A prayer warrior is what he called himself. He’d pray for 4 hours a day, sometimes 12.

I’d heard about this Holy Man on George street in December of 1987 after a 2 week stay at Seaton House, a hostel that houses 500 men.  I referred to Seaton House as prison with knives, but I was young and afraid.

For 4 dollars a night I got to stay in what was called the ‘School House’, beside Seaton House, which housed about 40 men on 2 floors. You were assigned a bed and you could leave whatever processions you had under the bed and nobody would steal from you.

I was placed on the first floor and I heard Fred Meison the Holy Man stayed on the 2nd floor. 

I snuck upstairs in the middle of the night not exactly sure of what or who I would find when all of a sudden this form rose up in front of me.  Fred’s arms swinging above his head and as quickly as he appeared, he vanished from view behind his bunk bed.

I introduced myself the next day and we walked the earth for a few years, generally always happy to see each other before drifting apart. 

He reintroduced me to God and Jesus and taught me how to pray and introduced me to Paul Fournier. 

I heard today he died 3 years ago…

If anyone’s in heaven, I  am certain Fred Meison it is you.

Cheers and warm regards Dennis Mantin 

I am the  father of a 6 year old girl.By multiple accounts a good father. The main reason for this fact is I believe; I made a decision before she was born that our relationship would be based on TRUST. 

I grew up without a father and children who experience this phenomenon endure behaviours from their peers and others that wouldn’t be available if Daddy were around. CONSEQUENCES. 

The first week in May, which is tradition now, because I have done so for the last 2 years;  I don’t work so I can take my daughter to lunch that week. My report from Tuesday past. 

” I  am no longer friends with Zoe… She ignored me all recess.”

” I will tell you something you don’t know. I  know you love Zoe… but you shouldn’t give her that kind of power. Tell her your feelings are hurt at being ignored.”

” I  just want an apology Dad.”

” Tell her that. ”

When we returned to the schoolyard, Zoe was playing with her friends and their eyes met at a safe distance and Zoe scrunched her face and said to Zylia. 

“Would you come to the bathroom with me? ”

Zylia squealed and threw her arms around Zoe

” YES! ”

I faded away happy in the moments. 

Dennis Mantin 

I learned to meditate in prison from an old convict named Jack Miller. When I could melt the bars away, he taught me the rules of life…

” Everybody goes through life thinking they don’t have to live by any rules… I’m here ta tell ya, yur gonna have ta live by 2 rules. Everyone knows rule number 1. However, few know rule number 2; and rule number 2 is never shit in your own nest. ”
“What’s rule number 1?”
” I’m glad you asked. It depends on what you are. If you’re a criminal like me, then it’s never get caught. If you’re a civilian, then it’s some version of do no harm to others. ”
I confessed. “I think I’m a civilian. ”
Jack smiled, ” For you, my friend, I think that would be wise.”
Neither one of us ever went back. I was 20, and Jack was 60.

Dennis Mantin

Brady came out of the ether… He’d put on 20 pounds of muscle since I last saw him.

He’s Jewish but was part of a Nazi White

Supremacist Group in Los Angeles before

immigrating to Toronto. 

Our mutual friend was arrested for a string of spring bank robberies. 

” He’s not built for this shit. ” Brady said matter of factly before continuing.           ” He’s not tough; he’s not a criminal really… and I’m afraid he’s gonna hang himself.”

I hadn’t thought about that, I had to admit. 

” I’m meeting my daughter for lunch. It’s always nice to see you. Keep your head in your business my friend.”

” You as well. Heading for the gym.”

We all live with our choices. 

Dennis Mantin

I watch them hunched over staring at their shoes road weary and tired and I don’t know any of their stories and I don’t want to and I wonder is this what I have to look forward to and a little voice says,” only if you’re lucky.”

Dennis Mantin 

I have always been a fool for beauty.     Even in my youth, however this has not lessened with age. 

Gloria said, ” Beauty is only skin deep.”   I answered, ” But ugliness goes to the bone. ” I was just a boy.

I think our friendship ended there. 

Dennis Mantin