sit atop the ocean-
the whole world is on its shoulders-
the surface, rich and swirling and calm-
beneath it, unknown depths-
try as we may, those deep waters
will remain a foreign zone to us-
ripe with life,
teeming with the highs and lows
of hidden valleys, crevasses,
and craggy shadows-
the world beneath the surface
is a world unto itself-
alive in the cold
life in the dark-
activity in its mystery-
a world apart from our own,
yet one that will not cease to
coexist-
a part of us-
independent and free-
its rigors and tribulations similar
to surface strife-
enclosed in itself-
drift on the surface-
float on its strength-
open your nostrils to the aromatic
crispness of it’s salty breath-
open your soul to the similarities
of depth-
your soul a darkened room ripe with
life,
teeming with the highs and lows of
hidden valleys, crevasses, and craggy
shadows-
enjoy the mystery of this symbiotic
relationship-
explore the depths of your own
craggy shadows and revel in the
independence of yourself*

Action flicks thrive on wild gun play and outlandish battles; listed below is part 1 of a series devoted to the coolness of movie shootouts. This is an excerpt from arguably one of the most meticulously orchestrated action films ever made, “Hard Boiled”, by John Woo. This graphically detailed Hong Kong gem was filmed in 1992, before CGI dominated the silver screen. It’s a fairly extended scene, so it’s shown in two parts below.

The world seems more open

During a storm-

The shadows of the clouds

Expand the space that we inhabit-

I live for those dark, anonymous

Days-

I come alive in their solitude,

Thrive in their muted calm,

Find solace within the quiet threads

Of gloom*

Ships sail past day and

Night-

You watch them from the safety

Of your own-

Behind the strength of aged

Wood,

Knurled rope,

And taut sails-

You examine each vessel as she

Drifts across your range of

Sight,

As you stand securely on

Your decks-

They float along, one by one-

No contact received from any-

No signals-

No signs-

Just a hulking craft sailing right

Under your nose,

As you sway steadily

Under the weight of your anchor-

Weighed down-

Safe-

Calm-

It’s easy to gaze at the passing

Ships

Behind the safety of rails and walls,

Oak and iron-

It’s effortless to watch as the waves

And the wind carry the beauty before

Your eyes-

To come and go-

There and gone-

No experience can be gained on the

High seas by dropping anchor

And drifting through a journey-

No prize can be obtained by watching

Life through a telescope-

No adventure can truly be felt behind

The protection of oak and iron-

No life can be fully lived in the shadows

As life drifts by-

We are all floating on a great sea-

Some of us blindly,

While others have plotted a course-

We are all captains of our own vessels-

Some at the wheel,

Others below deck-

Some hulks fresh and new,

Others battered and worn smooth-

Our colors, struck high and true,

Glistening in the wind,

Fluttering in that breeze with the pride

That comes with self reliance-

We are all sailing the same sea-

Whether we watch the ships pass

By from the front of our vessels,

Tall and proud,

Our sails full of wind-

Or from behind the safety of the

Rails, anchors dropped,

Is truly up to us*

Where you are in life will affect who you are, but who you are will always determine where you are.

Also, here’s a random Sunday track by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis titled “Song for Bob”, from the Assassination of Jesse James score:

Jimi Hendrix – Red House

The Who – Eminence Front

the fan whirred behind my head-
and the soft, steady wind quietly
shifted the strings on the blinds-
and they resembled an old grandfather
clock in that easy tick tock motion-
i sit on the bed, facing the window-
thinking of time-
the passage of time-
the news came in the form of a text
message that morning-
my grandmother had died-
such a wonderful, fine woman-
who never shied away from a good
time,
or a laugh,
or a pick me up-
who never missed a hug,
a kiss,
or an opportunity to tell a story
or to say i love you-
thanks for always being there,
grandma-
a spot in a greater place
awaits you-
they say that when the people that you
care about pass away, a little
piece of you goes with them-
make sure that you’ve given those
you care about the very best
pieces of you*

the 3 p.m. sun trickled
gently through the windows-
filtered slightly through the abundant
trees outside-
your room was bright-
and the air from the ceiling fan
kissed my face gently-
i could have laid there forever,
next to you-
You-
strands of hair delicately
blown over your eyes-
eyes so peaceful, open or
closed-
your mind, a refuge-
a paradise-
an enclave that entices
me-
comforts me-
home, to me-
the 3 p.m. sun trickled through
gently-
and my head and heart filled with
the mystery of the unsaid-
those unspoken words
music to my ears, still*

People are like stained glass windows; they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within.

The world as we know it has been mapped, trekked, and thoroughly discovered; for years, explorers and adventures have claimed every square inch of the globe. The last great undiscovered frontier is an even greater place, an even more fulfilling journey; it is within us – the vast expanse that is our hearts, our minds, our actions, and the promise that they can be harnessed, understood, and put to good use.

worth a listen…some of these are pretty deep.