Writes And Wrongs

Valle's Rock

noreply@blogger.com (D.J. Hall) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:05:00 +0000

Sooner than the sun sets in the west.

We trail a creek up a steep incline.

A beehive appearing boulder

of solitude

Stands alone near bluffs in

this unique hunting ground

Of the Shawnee Forest.

Rock-solid among pines, ash and oaks

He explains this tribute to Valle.

A mammoth of magnificence reaching 25 feet tall.

I am in awe.

I see a natural ladder leading to elation.

Without hesitation, my hands pull me skyward

My feet sturdy on stone rungs of unyielding purity

With peace of mind and level-headed security, I am

Treading steps of topography never before trekked.

Reaching the pinnacle solidly secure in the moment

Together atop an everlasting existence.

Jack

noreply@blogger.com (D.J. Hall) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:19:00 +0000

White as the snowfall of that joyous Christmas

He entered our young family

Petted, kissed and cuddled

He dozed in our arms

As we all took a stab at naming him.

He was carefully passed around

The kitchen island

Along with the bottle

That he was named after – Jack!

Jack - a strong name for a solid fellow

Would grow to be a faithful friend.

The happiest member of the clan.

Always at the ready to offer a greeting

From his earliest years of generously

Jumping on top of guests with

A full body hug -

To his more mature years

Showing huge affection

Too well-trained to jump up,

Instead, showed a more refined joy

With his entire body wagging,

Always with that happy face

Smiling sincerely at you.

Constant companion, always nearby.

Underfoot in the kitchen,

Discretely in wait for a morsel to fall.

Resting attentively in the foyer

Guardian of his family

Our gentle giant

Had a secret desire to be a lapdog!

Jack’s favorite place was with his family

A poolside party or bonfire where

He could garner affection, food and preferably

A lap to sit on!

That young family who giggled at his puppy pranks

Who grew up together

Strong, solid and so very loved.

Has entered a new phase.

And is now a sweet memory, savored often by all.

As is our dear friend, Jack.

In memory of Jack – Great White Boxer. Losing an aging pet is very hard on many levels. First is the sadness of loosing a dear friend, a member of your immediate family. Also, we are reminded of now fleeting the years go by, and of how fast the chapters of our book is turning. Growing older.

D. J. Hall (03/16/2009)

Black River Boys

noreply@blogger.com (D.J. Hall) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:47:00 +0000

Sept 2007. Camping with my grandsons ( 3–year-old and 1–year-old)

Prepare, pack, plan, unload.

Sun, mud, dirt, bugs

Filthy fingers

Happy feelings

Finding tree stars and tree nuts

Four-wheeling to a fishing spot

Where the River runs still, deep, secluded.

Floating in clear coolness with eyes full of brightness

Dylan’s curiosity along with Devin’s sweet smiles.

Our little bit of paradise

Brings contentment to the family.

Small voice questioning all around us

What are those lines?

As Dylan points to the ripples in the water

Bordering us silently, moving as we glide

What are those things?

Looking intently at the pebbles under foot.

What is that sound?

Listening to birds screech over head.

Tiny fishes scatter in all directions,

Yet, the plastic red one is continually caught

Proudly on the end of Dylans’ reel.

“Hey, that’s not nice” we hear him say as

he startles and jumps.

When Rich tosses his rejects towards the little

Men in the River.

Canoeist’s approach us

Small talk begins and naturally

Comment is made by those approaching

about our boys in the River

Devin coyly smiles at them

Dylan shyly looks away, grinning.

Canoeist’s float lazily past us

And Dylan says to me,“I did not talk”.

Heather and Bobby take a walk, take a break,

Alone together to float downstream.

Dylan tells me, “I can’t see.”

“See what?” I ask.

“My best friends”, he says in his small voice.

He misses his mom and dad.

They are his world.

When he sees them floating towards us,

he points at them excitedly,

With his whole self smiling.

Back at our camp site, time for quick showers

Washing away sunscreen and sweat

Primed for evenings’ bug spray and smoke

Blued-eyed dimpled Devin bounces happily in his walker

As Rich works his magic on the grill.

Busy day, the boys are asleep before nightfall.

Snuggled in their tent.

Time for adults.

Starry nights lead to talk about life, the future and The Universe.

Simple times like these make the grandest of occasions.

Turn in early.

Rise and shine

Pee on a snake.

Chasing early morning shadows.

Running from Rich’s hand monster.

“It’s getting me, it’s getting me.”

Giggling all the while.

Such energy and excitement.

Stooping, exploring, digging and collecting

Acorns, rocks, leaves.

Nonstop walking, spinning in circles,

“Whats happening to me?” Dylan asks, as he high steps

His feet, in constant motion, unable to stop!

Dylan’s funny comments made our whole week-end laughable.

Devins sweet smiles made us feel carefree.

Our Black River Boys.

noreply@blogger.com (D.J. Hall) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:12:00 +0000

Reflective Pond
D.J. Hall (August 2007)

Search for hidden pond
With an eager anticipation
For a successful expedition

Opportunity for abundant fishing
For answers, blue gill, our emotions unraveled.
Propels us through a path less traveled
Traipsing mile after mile in summer’s humidity
Past endless rows of sunny simplicity.

Yellow faces watch in silence as we feel
Relentless dampness seep from pores at
Neck, cleavage, face and arms, as the
weight of the chaos I have created
continually trickles through my thoughts.
Much like the unremitting, infuriating mosquitoes.
Threatening to drive me crazy.

Onward, our heavy feet trudge, through a
Midwestern field full of tall grass and ticks
Accompanied by droning honeybees and
Annoyance of horseflies, heat and his enthusiasm.

Sulking, I discover beauty beneath the surface.
Like many other spheres of life,
I find a hidden eco-system at the edge of the pond,
Woven between the algae, guppies and tiny frogs.
As I sit and fume about my discomfort, misery and him
is the certainty that we, too, are intermingled.
Energy, fate, force or whim
Compels me to accept the reality that I had
attempted to submerge.
The certainty that I believe in our love, our future,
and that our affections will once again resurface.

noreply@blogger.com (D.J. Hall) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:10:00 +0000

Under Attack
D. J. Hall (April 2007)

Sense of self-expression, thoughts and ideas.
Picked apart, scoffed at, rejected.
She allows herself to be neglected.
Their conversation turns to debate.
A simple question raises provocation.
Divorced, displanted.
New man. Strange love
Now taken for granted.
Her life made a mockery, daily rebuke feels like puke.
She knows keeping her down raises him up.
Children grown and away. Now time to play.Accept no longer this mourning, this hunger.

His View

noreply@blogger.com (D.J. Hall) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:08:00 +0000

His View
D. J. Hall (November 2007)

His thoughts are so deep
They are drowning me.

His philosophy is so stoic
It smothers me.

His systemitized style is so uptight
It stifles me.

He says
I should be more
Frugal
Fluent
Intellectual
Prudent.

He says
I should be less
Generous
Scattered
Passionate
Stupid.

Instead, I am
Confused
Convictionless
Uncertain
Unwilling
To change.

The Past - (January 2008)

noreply@blogger.com (D.J. Hall) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:11:00 +0000

The Past wavers between us causing a constant state of upheaval.
Mistakes, deception and miscommunications are a sickness.
Minute, minimal or moderate errors never obliterated.
The Past is unwilling to be forgotten.
Unable to be forgiven.

Two souls of different spirit, psyche and strength.
Attempting to move forward together will continually struggle.
Where is my spine?
Where is his heart?

The Past, in its wary way,
Is a destroyer of destiny.
Creating dreams only to be demolished.
The Past eliminates the Future.

The Future is so easily forgotten.
When fate is fixed.
Ah, but The Present remains my focus.
As I am habitually stuck in limbo.

D.J. Hall
January 2008

Silent Longing - A brief story.

noreply@blogger.com (D.J. Hall) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:19:00 +0000

Silent Longing
D. J. Hall

I have become a master at veiling unanswered questions festering deep within my psyche. Thoughts and feelings I ignore during the day can only be squelched fo so long. But, those ignored emotions thrive in the middle of the night and I am tormented by my inner fears and the injustices of which I try to understand. The many questions I try to solve, become completely overwhelming in the course of a dark, silent room in the middle of the night. Or perhaps they are more overwhelming in the light of day, which is why the mind shuts down innocently enough, like a life preserver protecting you from the onslaught of waves, allowing one to climb out of that warm bed each morning. If one allowed the multitude of thoughts, if one felt the pain and worry during the day as intensely as one feels them during the night, perhaps the day would never start at all.

My thoughts are the generic worries which everyone has. But always under the surface is the reoccurring question and concern I have about my partner. This man who has all the characteristics I always wanted, and whom I hold in high regard. This man of wit, moral strength and intelligence. This man who emanates masculinity, and for whom upon meeting, felt mutual sexual attraction to. This man is the only man I have loved to the deepest core of my being and will never stop. This man who has not touched me for over two years.

In the middle of the night, awoken by that familiar stirring, aroused by an erotic dream of my own sexuality and the unmet craving I have for him, I lay awake in silent longing, needing to touch him but unable to reach out. How do I live up to the air brushed images he frequently entertains himself with? Why does he choose to replace a loving and intimate relationship with this damaging diversion? Maybe for the same reason he likes to watch sports that he does not play, living vicariously through what he sees. Those who can, do. Those who can’t, watch. I have gone through such an agony of emotions starting with disbelief and denial to the most ridiculous thoughts of blaming myself. The painful process of grieving a loss of an exquisite intimacy has turned into a quiet numbing anger. I love him greatly and am confident in his sincere love for me. Our love is strong and we are inexplicably bonded. We enjoy each other’s company, quiet movie nights, cooking exceptional meals together and reading in bed. We have built a life together, he has been my friend, my confidante, and sadly, too long ago my lover. He continues to talk about our future while I live in transition, waffling between holding onto the dream of a healthy intimate relationship together or starting over as a single woman of 49. I try not to think about his sexual anorexia. Until the middle of the night.

Imagine- An Ideal World

noreply@blogger.com (D.J. Hall) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:29:00 +0000

All the varied societies around the world should be more open and accepting of each other’s values, both religiously and politically and have a more meaningful, honest and productive communication with one another. Awards should be given more for competence in the area of academics, as a motivation to produce more great thinkers, rather than placing such importance on sports. Naturally, in this idealized world, the media would concentrate their efforts on highlighting those events such as academic achievement, discoveries in science and successful charities, rather than placing celebrities on a pedestal. Criminals would not receive more than 10 minutes of airtime, just enough to get the word out. I say make public the names and faces of great thinkers, problem solvers and profound artists on the front pages of magazines and newspapers! Time would be more well spent on working on solutions for world peace, to end global warming, reducing poverty and advancing efforts to cure fatal diseases, rather than dreaming of ways to make more money to pay for homes that are too large, made only to impress. People would gain respect in society because of his value in the community via volunteer work, raising generations of moral citizens, etc., rather than the kind of car he drives. Less time would be spent sitting in front of the tube watching reality shows. Think of how bored we would be, watching those sorts of inane television programs, if we were a more intellectual humanity. Don’t get me wrong, along with all this studying and knowledge will come a greater need for relaxing and down time, and thus exercise would be incorporated as the normal course of the day, second nature so to speak. Be it a walk, game of sports, dance, yoga, treadmill, gym or what have you. The need to participate in such an activity would be so ingrained in the minds of the people of this society, and looked at as a way to refresh the mind, spirit and stay healthy, rather than merely a way to loose weight. Remember, this is a more accepting society therefore there is no desire to pass judgment on those who are carrying extra pounds. Of course the Arts would be enjoyed with great appreciation and pleasure. True artistry would be regarded with respect and admiration, held in high esteem, but not too loftily.

Imagine if all the people of the world could garner such an education and realize the true purpose of their short existence on Earth.

Imagine

noreply@blogger.com (D.J. Hall) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:44:00 +0000

Imagine how life for millions of people would benefit from a more tolerable, empathetic, open minded society. Imagine how better off the world would be without racism of any form; for intolerance of another person’s religious views and pure evil to come to an end.

Think of it! A world of productive citizens living on this beautiful planet, and all of them free of judgments, jealousies, greed and resentment, which in turn ultimately lead to hate. This idealized society of the world would be bound together, working for the greater good of all of mankind and striving to protect our dear, fragile Earth.

I think an influential area that would be the foundation for global unity is in the sphere of education. All children would be shown kindness, taught proper manners and instructed in household chores at home from the earliest age, instilling in them strong morals for empathy and a desire for self-discipline.

In primary grades the schools would include mandatory subjects such as Geography, Culture, World History, Science and World Languages, as well as the tried and true Three R’s: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. As these children grew strong and matured they would then be challenged with more
intellectual topics such as Ethics/Morals, Politics, Theology, Environmental Issues, Psychology, and Social Sciences. I may be dreaming, but by the end of high school these children would have been educated in at least three languages, and have attained an appreciation of cultures across the globe, gained knowledge of not just the United States government history, but also a clearer understanding of the politics of other countries.

An Introduction

noreply@blogger.com (D.J. Hall) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Hello to the bravado of my newly found voice! That discontented and discouraged sound simpering deep in my consciousness is now saying goodbye to the fear of speaking the wrong thing... and hello to the courage to speak the truth as I see or feel it.