On a Bus

Well, it was a bitter sweet send off for old Z Gentle Reader. Boy what a fine time did I have galavanting around Orono one last time before my great adventure. Drinks were imbibed, friends were chuckled with, and song was in the air. But alas, the USMNT did not prevale in their efforts in this year's round of 16. 

On the bright side I got to watch the game on this impressive projector screen whilst sampling a few of Black Bear Brewery's finest ales. It was certainly warm in the pub I must say. I'm not sure if it was the collective rising blood pressure of the viewers, or the fact that I was sitting directly in sunlight, but I felt like I was in the Manous of Orono! 

Good play all around to the American boys in this year's tournement, and congratulations to the Belgians on an impressive victory yesterday and for bringing such fine beer, waffles, and chocolate into our world. 

Now, Gentle Reader, I am on a bus. 

And as it pulls out of the Union Street station I bid God's speed to you and your July endeavors. I trust you do the same for me. 

I'll see you in the cyber salons of the future. 

Courage, 

-Z

Into the Willies

What a wonderful vacation it's been so far, Gentle Reader, and I haven't even left my home state! But I will soon be off to see what this continent has to offer and, as a warm-up, I spent two lovely nights in lake country with these charming people:

I've also managed to aquire a fine piece of work by my favorite living artist, Jim Toner. 

I do not yet know the extent of the adventures I will have, Gentle Reader, as I navigate the urban domains and wild back countries of North America. But you can be certain that I will update this forum with news of my escapades as frequently as the cyber gods allow.

From here I take a bus to Boston on Wednesday, then fly to the wonderful land known as (T)oron(t)o on Thursday. I've got some tricky connections to make, but feel that with a bit of luck, and an airport cocktail or two, I shall safely reach my Canadian destination. One thing we can both be certain of is that the historical conquests documented above will become the stuff of legend, and the folklore of tomorrow. 

Farewell for now Gentle Reader. I will see you in the cyber salons of the future.

-Z

Be Crumbled

Be crumbled.
So wild flowers will come up where you are.
You have been stony for too many years.
Try something different.
Surrender.


          -Rumi

This is the Nonsense of Love

I.

Our kiss is a secret handshake, a password.

We love like spies, like bruised prize fighters,


like children building tree houses.

Our love is serious business.


One look from you and my spine


reincarnates as kite string.

When I hesitate to hold your hand,


it is because to know is to be responsible for knowing.

II.


There is no clean way to enter

the heavy machinery of the heart.

Just jagged cutthroat questions.


Just the glitter and blood production.

III.


The truth is this:


My love for you is the only empire

I will ever build.

When it falls,

as all empires do,


my career in empire building will be over.

I will retreat to an island.


I will dabble in the vacation-hut industry.


I will skulk about the private libraries and public parks.

I will fold the clean clothes.

I will wash the dishes.

I will never again dream of having the whole world.

- Mindy Nettifee

The Romance of the Evening

I remember the night I fell in love with the evening. I was driving on a mountain road, a few moments after dusk: The trees' shadows were merging with the background of the sky, the cool air was a whisper in my ear. I did not abandon myself uncontrollably, I did not lose sight of the road. Rather the evening surrounded me the way a footprint surrounds a foot, the way a star is surrounded by empty space. I lost the notion of preference: I did not care for darkness over light, I could not tell my left hand from my right. Later I drove through the forrest knocking down small trees; rabbits were caught frozen in my headlights, the car's engine gave off the smell of fear: fear released, fear repulsed, fear returning. I got out of the car in a small clearing and turned off the lights. The evening made no demands, I did not have to remove my clothes, there were no promises made or broken. I did not have to give up my lovers, nor did the idea of fidelity even occur to me: No matter how many times I left the evening it would always come back to me, by choice or otherwise.


-Ira Sadoff

Covenant

I you are happy, I will give you an apple,
if you are anxious, I will twist your arm,
and if you permit me, I will be glad to hold you
close to my heart forever and do you no harm.

If I am happy, will you give me an apple?
If I am anxious, you may twist my arm.
And if you would like to, I would like you to hold me
close to your heart forever and do me no harm.

This is a bargain, only two can make it.
This is a covenant offered with desperate calm,
it being uncertain that lovers can drive out demons
with the gift of an apple or the twist of an arm.

                                -Tennessee Williams

Once in the 40's

We were alone one night on a long
road in Montana. This was in winter, a big
night, far from the stars. We had hitched,
my wife and I, and left our ride at
a crossing to go on. Tired and cold -- but
brave -- we trudged along. This, we said,
was our life, watched over, allowed to go
where we wanted. We said we'd come back some time
when we got rich. We'd leave the others and find
a night like this, whatever we had to give,
and no matter how far, to be so happy again.

-William Stafford.