FRAGMENT
“A single, monstrous wave has taken the bridge out completely. It is no longer there. Only the black pylons remain as ominous blobs of darkness within the swirling mass of water and wind.
We can no longer even think of making it to the mainland.
We must return to the hillside cave, hunker down, and await the end of the storm. The fight has gone out of us, with the bridge gone. That was the center of our possible survival. Instead we shall protect ourselves as much as possible as we work our way back up the slope to the relative security of the small cave. Beyond being there, we can plan for nothing else.
Many men, I find, can sleep, even during time such as this.
Not I. I nod, of course, but sleep does not come. Instead I sit here huddled against the wind and rain and, in my mind, string together the these thoughts of and for - even to you, almost as if I believed that, in the mere thinking of such things, I could transmit my thoughts, my love and my great need of your presence with me across the dark forbidding miles In a type of frustration, I find myself transforming my thoughts into Morse Code and tapping it all out on my knee which gives me a connective touch with you in a vague sense.”
Update.
I actually wrote those words June 11, 1988, and I was surprised to find as I re-read in almost-June of 2003 I was not doing fiction writing at all.
They were part of a seemingly confused time in my life which I no longer remember, when I realized anew how important it was a to maintain contact with others at all times It may have been notes from a dream, I don't recall. I do know and realize anew each day that, with the misfortunes which seem to haunt us today , it seems wise to considered how well off we really are whatever occurs. It is good to give serious consideration to the worst case scenarios which are so often placed before us.
We are disturbed by continuing patterns of suicide bombings in many areas and dread such occurrences regardless of where they take place. We think of such actions as being needlessly cruel, and demeaning to all who subscribe to such cowardly thinking. We think of ourselves as being a cut above such low standards of evaluation of human life and work toward period of enlightenment for all.
We have not chosen an easy road. There will be times of marked despair and we must prepare in advance for such moments. When our bridges to security are swept away, we must look to each other and make full use of the bridges we have to one another in love, admiration, respect and honor.
A.L.M. May 18 2003 [c730wds]
