Historical setting: 602 C.E. Luxeuil Jack, the donkey, seems to know the way to Luxeuil because we go this way so often. And maybe he remembers he belongs to Sister Colleen. This time I’m going alone to deliver the portion due the monastery this month as the tithe we give for the useContinue reading “#47.12, Thurs., Aug. 24, 2023”
Tag Archives: #grief
#47.8, Weds., Aug. 16, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges In the dark of morning I waken and I see Ana there sitting by the fireside reading the letter on fine vellum from Gabe. It’s a short letter — she must be pondering. “Did Gabe tell you how he’s doing?” “He didn’t haveContinue reading “#47.8, Weds., Aug. 16, 2023”
#47.4, Tues., Aug. 8, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges Here, I play a simple tune on Simon’s harp. It’s a song Simon invented to please the cuckoo nesting near this place where only flowers may grow. Brandell is delighted. For just a moment the tones of cooing cuckoo sullies the sorrows of us humankinds.Continue reading “#47.4, Tues., Aug. 8, 2023”
#47.3, Thurs., Aug. 3, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges Simon played this little harp we made with gut strings on a bent ash root. From these hardened leftovers of life-things Simon made music and Brandell believed Simon had magical power. Maybe a two-year-old notices the “hole in the music” when someone is missing, andContinue reading “#47.3, Thurs., Aug. 3, 2023”
#47.2, Weds., Aug. 2, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges People like Simon would seem ordinary, or common, amid the great heroic tales that are told by the fires of soldiers gathering for wars. The ordinary aren’t mentioned. Great stories are spun around the likes of Greg or Gabe. And I can imagine little dark-hairedContinue reading “#47.2, Weds., Aug. 2, 2023”
#47.1, Tues., Aug. 1, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges All night last night, we sat at the table with a candle and the book. Ana and I took turns reading to one another through warm tugs and tears. We read the scribbles of words in Simon’s journal. [Footnote] The pages are the storyContinue reading “#47.1, Tues., Aug. 1, 2023”
#46.12, Thurs., July 27, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges Commoners don’t record their begottens. No one but God and the memories of old grandmothers keep this lineage. But with my oddity, having an ever and ever perspective I’ve come to know that the human record of history is only as good as the keepingContinue reading “#46.12, Thurs., July 27, 2023”
#44.10 Tues., May 23, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. The secular church in the Vosges Mater Doe has been keeping watch, offering up, through dark hours, prayers and comfort, a sip of water, a warmer blanket all for a healing that might happen regardless of her tireless efforts. I have new strength already. And I’m driven to graspContinue reading “#44.10 Tues., May 23, 2023”
#44.8, Weds., May 17, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. Following the creek bed home Gabe and Greg return to this wagonload of dirty straw along with their older, and maybe wiser hunter friend, Charlie. Charlie asks them why they put their father’s body under all this filth. Gabe explains, “We needed a wagon and the stable masterContinue reading “#44.8, Weds., May 17, 2023”
#44.6, Thurs., May 11, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A Woods in Gaul The guards argue for a moment over who should use the polearm, and they assure one another the spear tip is firmly in place. Now I feel the pain of it, and breath is… At this waking I am gasping for breath under a heapContinue reading “#44.6, Thurs., May 11, 2023”
Lazarus Ink 