The trick is, if you’re upset, to STOP: and ask yourself if you are HUNGRY, ANGRY, LONELY or TIRED.

The wisest will tell you that we so seldom speak of being LONELY that the symbol should be referred to as H.A.T.

The major benefit from the misfortune of childhood tragedy I have found is the awareness of such pain has left me with zero desire to repeat these events with my own child.

I have consciously sought a relationship of trust and honesty with a keen eye towards avoiding humiliation.

First there was the Father, Son and Holy Spirit under the spell of peasantry and all the horrors with those fears.

Later, much later, came Joseph Campbell, Jordan Peterson and lately, finally I found Marshall Mcluhan…

By fluke or grand design I met the artists Fischl and Fournier and the humanity that they brought.

And still I listen.

It’s 4a.m. on a Tuesday.

I’m driving not to you.

It’s quiet and it’s peaceful.

No drama coming through.

I left you at the airport.

Our eyes were clear and dry.

It feels like it’s over.

I’ll walk and watch you fly.

Dennis Mantin

#1

If you want to know how Spiritual someone is… just say no to them.

#2

If you want to find out how spiritual someone is, suggest they offer an apology to the family member they are feuding with…

Dennis Mantin

This is that face my daughter makes:

When I tell her that I am no longer the most beautiful man in the world…

I tell her, “I have transcended beyond beauty. ”

Dennis Mantin

“In N.Y.C. everyone walks with their heads down… hardly anyone looks another person in the eyes.”

I can’t remember who said that, but it must have been Mr Whilmshurst, my grade 8 history teacher. He was the only person I knew who traveled when I was younger.

The theory for this behavior was inconclusive.

I see people behave like this in Toronto. They don’t want to be bothered by people they don’t know. And with good reason. It’s a class thing and fear. People are begging for money mainly.

Sometimes, I have given. After giving 3 times, it’s expected. After 4, they are dependent. I have seen one of these dependents see me and run across traffic to get to me… then I said no.

He sits outside the liquor store day after day greeting and cajoling spare change; telling all who pass to have a wonderful day or wishing them the best for whatever upcoming holiday is arriving. He’s healthy and personable and appears to have the gift of gab and a memory for names.

I can’t help myself from wondering how one arrives at a career choice like this. Does it come on gradually or did he just wake up one day and say, “I’m going to be a bum.”?

This falls under the category of question that I can ask and feel satisfied at not ever getting an answer.

Dennis Mantin

We circle in the darkness and we’re waiting for the sun.

And the fever has been broken and a new day has begun.

Nothing has been promised just expectations of some light.

Somewhere between faith and hope and will be a welcome sight.Dennis Mantin