Historical Setting, 629 C.E. A burial place near Trier In an aching darkness from nightmares in shadows, I imagine rising from a timeless cavern, maybe to consciousness, or possibly a better dream. I must be waking now in this darkness, in cold, hurt and hunger — voices of earth, not heaven, shout for shovels.Continue reading “#54.1, Tues., March 5, 2024”
Category Archives: Early Medieval
#53.13, Thurs., Feb. 29, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. On the River near Trier If no one should appear from the little village of refugees’ houses, that would be fine with me. We could leave now. I pull the boat I rowed over onto the shore with the bow pointed into the river for the retreat. But now, asContinue reading “#53.13, Thurs., Feb. 29, 2024”
#53.12, Weds., Feb. 28, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. On the River near Trier “Where is your weapon, boy?” I answer the captain, “I didn’t come for the fight.” They are pushing the boats into the water with no time for considering consequences. “Then you are a rower!” The one who would be a captain assigns meContinue reading “#53.12, Weds., Feb. 28, 2024”
#53.11, Tues., Feb. 27, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. On the River near Trier It is breezes from the northeast that rustle the leaves left-over through the winter from the autumn-turning that signal a storm to come. “I hear you will all be crossing over the river tonight and setting fire to the vineyards of the strangers whoContinue reading “#53.11, Tues., Feb. 27, 2024”
#53.10, Thurs., Feb. 22, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The Vintner’s Cottage on the Moselle I should know not to expect a simple little Jesus story to heal the thousands of years of xenophobia, nurtured and developed with wars and walls and obstinance, slaves for a century then abusers for next. With every whim of shifting power humans collectContinue reading “#53.10, Thurs., Feb. 22, 2024”
#53.9, Weds., Feb. 21, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The Vintner’s Cottage on the Moselle This man recites the law precisely. So how does his understanding of this simple message turn into something so completely different than Jesus could ever have intended? I argue, “I know Jesus, his followers and even the lawyer in the conversation were allContinue reading “#53.9, Weds., Feb. 21, 2024”
#53.8, Tues., Feb. 20, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The Vintner’s Cottage on the Moselle Face-to-face at the table with this vintner, the old wineskin he pours from has turned to vinegar. So, I already have a clear mind for this argument. We’ve acknowledged a distinction between the edicts of earthly kings and God’s law – something no kingContinue reading “#53.8, Tues., Feb. 20, 2024”
#53.7, Thurs., Feb. 15, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The Vintner’s Cottage on the Moselle The vintner asks me why I’ve come to the vineyards if it is just to pick my way fighting into their controversy. I have to wonder that myself. Was I driven here for some reason only I can fulfill? Or am I so caughtContinue reading “#53.7, Thurs., Feb. 15, 2024”
#53.6, Weds., Feb. 14, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. On the River Path near the Moselle River This morning I leave early on the borrowed horse. Ana doesn’t exactly send me off with her blessing. She thinks it’s foolish for a pacifist as I am to go off to quill a fight among wine growers. But, while Brandell isContinue reading “#53.6, Weds., Feb. 14, 2024”
#53.5, Tues., Feb. 13, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. Luxeuil to borrow a horse This morning I am at Luxeuil which happens to be one of these monasteries built on a Roman ruin. Here my own son, Brother Gabriel, takes the messages from the leg of a bird to the abbot in this community. So here I findContinue reading “#53.5, Tues., Feb. 13, 2024”
Lazarus Ink 