At the End

At the end of a long, moldy stinking night in Wichita Falls, a double-pane distorted clerk said, “You’re free to go. Your dad is paying your bail.”  Acting like a man, I said, “I’ll pay it myself.”  

Coming from behind me, from beyond my field of vision, Dad took a step toward the counter. Without raising my head or turning around I could feel a dangerous posture - his back was straight and his arms were crossed.  His voice turning beet red, he said, “I've already paid it.”  I shut my mouth.

The Comb

Wisdom, the first-daughter of God whom some call Reason, works obediently alongside the Father to tend Creation. She protects and instructs his children and her joyful service-song gives them courage for the day. One of the Wanderers, slowly ascending the switch-backs that climb to the Pass, pauses on his trek – compelled to listen. Meanwhile a wild-child runs circles around her kind handmaid, throwing dust into the sky and breaking down the furrows. But when the time comes, calm Reason gently captures the little one, draws polished-ivory Order from her apron, and patiently combs the tangled locks of Chaos. She must prepare the girl for her new-name Christening for it is Cosmos that will be invited to the wedding. 

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Proverbs 8:22-31

Cigarettes, Candy, Jam and Peanuts

Dear Brother,

I am glad you received my letter. It was certainly good to hear from you as well. Mother has kept all your letters. She is doing fine now, but she was sure worried about you for a time. She was so happy you went to church for Easter. She knew you would like it. When she read your last letter, she said, “Well…I always knew Son was a good boy.” She sent you a package with the things you requested – cigarettes, candy, jam and peanuts.  Perhaps it will catch up with you soon.

Cousin Bess told Mother that you wrote that you were in the big invasion. Were you at Omaha? What was it like to see combat? France sounds very nice – a beautiful country with pretty girls. I’d like to see it. Dad is doing fine now too. He wanted me to ask you - did you get to see St. Lo?  I read that St. Lo was named after a fellow who healed the blind and that pilgrims still visit a healing spring in the town where he was born.  Perhaps someday, when I am a little older, I will come join you there.  I will bring you more cigarettes, candy, jam and peanuts and we will go visit that healing spring together.

We are very proud of you, Brother.

Lots of love,

James

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Written - June 6, 2014

I wrote this "letter" on behalf of my Dad in remembrance of his brother, Marshall Wade DeLong, and in honor of the 70th anniversary of D-Day. This letter was inspired by reading Dad’s collection of letters and V-MAIL postcards (Victory Mail) between Marshall Wade and the extended family.