‘No, we were all born to be stars, some just get off too soon.’

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We piled inside the small compact car smelling like Vodka, sweat, and good times.

Someone yelled ‘Let’s take Marta.’ After all, it’s smarter. Well, it’s just we all had been drinking.  Summer was approaching and there was a sudden silence in the air, you knew what everyone was thinking.

Ralph was such a good guy is what we all seemed to pray.  He was one exit from home on that fateful day.

With a driven purpose in mind we walked towards the next arriving Blue Line.  It’d be ten minutes or so before the next rail was set to arrive.  Under the influence it seemed like forever.  In the meantime, we’d admire a smoke and a share a few thoughts of laughter.  Philips Arena, Five Points… Georgia State soon after.  We waited along with a few others in the morning dim.  There were no panhandlers in sight, it must have been too early for them.  That’s what Greg joked but I saw truth in that.  I was almost at a dose when I felt a sprinkle of inspiration in fact.  Awakening was the rail’s brakes and images of flying sparks.  The old woman sitting by the young lady I met tonight both got off at Inman Park.  Those other guys I believe were migrating West.  I thought to myself, ‘Marta is Smarter’, even they know what’s best.  The conductor insisted Edgewood/Candler would be coming up next.  I looked around and there weren’t a familiar face left other than one guy from  yesterday’s game.   By the time we reached Decatur I had forgotten his name.  On similar paths we travel some of our minds lose tract. Then I saw my reflection realizing I am a man of my own and fully understand maps.  Have been for awhile now and soloist decisions have become the norm.  Through many roads I’ve traveled while weathering the storm.   Further I’ve gone, but nowhere near home.  Then I see through their eyes.  Faces show smiles and in hearts true gloom.  Or perhaps, maybe I’ve gone too far as a train passes flashing, ‘No, we were all born to be stars, some just get off to soon.’

The Rights of Life Come with Sacrifice…Freedom

“You mean I can’t stay here forever?”

This seems to be the question many find themselves asking as death creeps onto the doorsteps of life.  The bad news is…at some point you’re going to die.  The good news is….well, you’re going to die.  The fear of death is one I overcame at a very young age that I attest mainly to my fascination for the spiritual & unknown.  As far back as I can remember the fascination of life and death only grew after a near death experience(drowning).  From that point on, the mystery that so many fear became a tool for truly LIVING.  After the death of my dear godmother, grandmother, other relatives, and friends the thought of no longer being in the physical seemed to be more intriguing than frightening.

If we place those fears and distractions aside for a moment there is so much more to life that we fail to see.  Live everyday like it’s your last and the worry of death tends to fade.  Exercise your right in servitude and the solemnness will slowly  die.  That’s my mantra.  I find it disturbing that we still fear one another simply because of the color of ones skin, or the god they may worship.  Why can’t we all just be?

I recently had a conversation with my mother who I believe is beginning to go through a denial of death.  To deny death is to shun life, for it is another chapter in this journey.  Besides, you can deny it as much as you want…it’s still going to happen.   In the book,” The Many Faces of Death” by Jacqui James she states,”

One of the faces of death, a very common one, is the

terrified face. It is the face seen by those who have ignored

death throughout their lives and who have

refused point blank either to talk or to think about death,

regarding the subject as morbid and one which, if

indulged in, would hasten their own deaths.

This superstitious attitude is a common human failing:

‘ignorance’ of anything found unpleasant or threatening.

 

This is so true and the face that I firmly believe mother is dealing with.  I’ve tried comfort but that doesn’t fly over too well.  I’m at peace simply knowing that I have attempted.  With the recent loss of her brother and close friend in her religious sect, time is slowly withering away and she is now realizing this.  The relationship I have with her is one that has been off and on, for years for a number of reasons.  One of those reasons has been my determination to follow a path of my own; straying away from the limitations and struggles of so many “religions” these days.  Following a path of my own I was able to awaken the Giant within & overcome those difficulties that many face when it comes to creation, life and death. Once embarking on this voyage of self and harmonizing the world within, the hereafter is no more of a threat  to me than say, a morning jog, or going to the grocery store.  I find it saddening when I look in her eyes and others who’ve followed the tutelage of so-called “leaders” or sects whose only true motive is profit- only to find them suffering and fearful in the end?  To be misled and not ask why is asking for your own demise in any case.  I pray that some sort of solace does rise in their hearts and minds.  Death is something that is within each and every one of us when we are born.  Death is the quiet passenger tagging along on this highway of experiences.   Along the way, it simply became another one of the fears we conjured up to this point in life.  We have yet to scratch the surface of the “tomb” that we currently embody as life.  From the most logically perspective, how can you be afraid of something you know nothing about?

 

At some point, we must all fly away … Maybe we’ll meet again next lifetime…

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