take a sip-
see how you feel-
let the grain fill your
dark rooms-
let it single handedly
ignite your stolen dreams-
things have become
stagnant-
allow the spirits to flush
away your faults-
float in its arms-
such a full bodied embrace-
let it carry you gently to
sunnier days-
a small room filled with a
loving photograph-
the light of the summer sun
spreading shadows of windowpane
like an old projector-
the sky outside is a full,
broad blue-
threads of clouds giving way to that
deep, high ocean-
rolling gently,
without a worry-
unconcerned with their destination-
take a seat quietly in the
comfortably worn chair
facing the window and
reflect-
drift sleepily
into that willing world-
where youth flows-
memories live-
and the breeze caresses your
face like a willing lover-
watch the leaves tumble across
your path as if summer had
never come-
brittle and frail-
they rustle along like running
children-
brisk and erratic-
fall resurrects memories,
old and new-
the crisp serving as a catalyst for
clarity-
until winter comes and preserves
them-
freezes them all away
temporarily-
take that sip-
create your spring-
allow it to thaw the broken
bits within-
see if it cures-
see if it strengthens-
see if it will erase the shadows
in your dark room*

This next installment of bullet riddled glory takes us back to 1969, again, long before the advent of CGI; this scene single-handedly revolutionized the fictional gun battle as we know it. The heavy use of squibs, visible blood, quick cuts, and slow motion were seldom used before this, but with the addition of them, Peckinpah was able to create an atmosphere of frenzied mayhem. Observe and enjoy the blazing action below.

Leaves fall to the ground

Like snow to the earth-

Slow and gentle, yet

Determined-

Each object strikes the ground

Methodically,

And is inevitably absorbed,

With open arms,

Into its place of

Origin*

 

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*