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I was riding on my mountain bike to the park, it was 5:45pm. Completely depressed. Is it God's voice that is booming in my head "Honor thy parents" or just my conscience? I chose God. God became quiet when Columbia Road approached because life is important. People in this town at rush hour lose their smiles, because schedules are important. As a consequence the cars here rarely stop for pedestrians, and therefore let it be shown there is due cause for Cincinnati's jay-walking law. Our city officials just want us to live. The flow of traffic has enthralled me ever since my Dad told me if I was bored that I should go play in traffic -footnote- he said this in 1980 in Caratpatch at the Fayette Mall after the 10,000th time I said I was bored. Playing in traffic on a bicycle is like playing Frogger. Thanks Dad. The quiet road across Columbia covered in the August leaves of the Walnuts and Oaks revived the emotion of honoring my parents, and I did not honored my father by the way I responded to a series of emails about our polar political beliefs. I sarcastically said in a one line reply "You're right, you win, I'm voting for your guy." It was a cheap- rollover-and-pee-on-myself shot aimed at defusing his anger that he still carries with him about being in war, and not getting the credit he should have. He should have gotten a hero's welcome, with banners, a few letters for the National Archives from superiors, and a wife who didn't immediately go to the mall the moment he stepped through the door. He did his job day after day by landing a helicopter through dense jungle to save wounded soldiers. The man deserves a strong representation, and rolling over was not a good reflection of such honor the man deserved. Numb in the park I went to sit under a Norfolk Pine (my only wish was for the pine to be an Ironwood.) Pines seem to sooth me for some reason. I think it is the sounds of the needles. The song of the needles told me to feel better I would need to take a test. "Get on your bike and ride the path into the woods. Take the path you've never been on as fast as you can and don't back down." This was easy until I met Bob. Bob has two dull swords attached to his head, each sword had three smaller swords, he was young, and challenged, and he stood ten feet from me. He puffed up and didn't move, in fact it seemed he wanted to charge me. I didn't care if he charged because I had my bike to throw at him. I'm sure he knew this, so the end result was we stared at each other until I said I wasn't going to hurt him, convinced of my motives he started to eat. After a few bites he dashed and I followed. I became as fast as the deer, and part of the world's balance. Bob, dashed into the thicket and stopped. I said my goodbyes, and rode off pretty happy about my encounter. Fifty feet from the path there was an animal trail, since this was part of the path I had not taken and my test dictated fresh course I veered into the brush. It was not but a few feet before a I came upon Shelia, who was resting. Still with the speed of her spring I was barely able to follow, yet I did not lose her path. When she stopped so did I. Again I wanted her to feel not pursued, but that I was like her, on a peaceful journey. I stared at her for a moment then turned around. Bob was directly behind me, staring at me and I think he was making sure I wasn't going to hurt his girl. The thickets of a small park in the suburbs of Ohio I was alone with a deer couple. My "amakua" or spirit had taken a different form from shark to deer. I was accepted and given respect. I was man who bikes with deer. The Cherokee in me had been awakened. Work became not a battle but exciting, and fun. Love came back, and I stood up again to honor my beliefs in me which I hope honors my father. I love you dad and by the way I'm not voting for your guy. |
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Peter's Journal Pictures of Soulmates Jewelry Custom Designs Home Page Soulmates Jewelry & Custom Design 9885 Waterstone Boulevard, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249 513-683-5333 email: Send any questions or comments to the jeweler.
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