Sylvan Reverie

Fortune cannot aid those who do nothing.
- Sophocles

I am recently returned to my home after a two day stay at the hospital. Rather than going in because I’m bipolar, I went in because I have sleep apnea and needed a full evaluation. This was a pretty significant thing for me, as I have an aversion to hospitals that stems in part from having seen too many family members die in one, and in part from a fear of being confined to the whims of doctors. I don’t like being hooked up to monitors at all, and the idea of turning myself into Locutus of Borg with cables, sensors and other stuff had my stomach churning in slippery knots. Go I did, however, and I must say that I’m a happier man for having done so. (more…)

A roaring fireball
hurtles through space, giving life
to a wet planet.
- Fallingleaf

Hope, to resist tides.
Stability, foundation.
Steadfastness am I -
yet sometimes a stubborn snare,
holding to the wrong things.
- Fallingleaf

Obama clinches!
- headline from numerous news sources

I also read a news ticker that, at one point, said Obama was ‘clinching’. While I’m aware of the meaning of the word, and am aware that it’s a perfectly legitimate word to use for this situation, I do wish the media would have pounced and settled upon a different word. I am, however, quite happy to know that Obama will be the Democratic candidate in this election. I would like to know what a good man can do, that war heroes, experienced and savvy politicians and those ordained by religion can’t – I would like to know if he can put America (and thus the rest of the world) on a good path. The Republicans have failed these past eight years – blame Bush though they may, they failed to stand up to him when it was clear he was leading the world down the wrong path. When Americans and people around the world were tasting the bitterness of loss, the Republicans stood behind Bush – it wasn’t until the Republicans tasted the loss of power that some of them ‘bucked Bush’. I would have more respect for McCain on this issue, in that he has been a maverick in his party for a long time, if he hadn’t suddenly picked up the party line just so he could get at those all-precious right-wing conservative fundamentalist Republican votes. I liked him better before he sold his soul.

So now, Mr. Obama, we stand at a crossroads. The millions of us who have been behind you want to reach out to as many others as possible, so that we can all follow you toward something better. You have the weighty responsibility of remaining true to your principles … you’ve hammered home the nomination, may your back never bend under the mantle of duty you seek to wear.