Large Fierce Mammal

“In this age of divided loyalties and unending crisis, some cower. Some assert themselves from the perceived safety of throngs screaming a common slogan understood differently by each throat and hearing ear. Some look to a saviour. Still others understand that if there is a saviour, in the hour of need it’s going to have to be them because the “first responder” in that moment is already there well before any finger dials 911.” ~ Dark Sentiments Season 15 — Day 14: Be As The Bay Leaf

This is the second in my meandering series, A Thin Veneer, being a coherent though loosely assembled and non-sequential offering up of experiences, observations, and insights relevant to, as aforesaid, Life outside the veil that is the reality of that term.

In the world of fundamentals through which I move, I carry nothing that is of no use as I routinely ignore, circumvent, pass through, and/or step over a careworn legion laden with useless encumbrance, most particularly those of their number that would have me “step up and share the load, there’s a good chap!”

My Life is not a public resource. I am far too steadfastly selfish for that …

Selfish bastard that I am, I see my Beloved Wife, and most perfect Mother of our children now and to be, physically manifesting her Love for me by placing her Life on the line for the most primal and powerful of reasons.  Proving, as if that were ever necessary, her loyalty and courage, as we plunge together headlong into the blessed state of Parenthood knowing all the while that the imperatives of Nature care not for the joys or the sorrows of Her Children. Only that She has them, Strong and True.

We treasure this adventure, Mrs. LFM and I, and every day along this Path I Love her more. So, I offer this collection of verse that I can’t, contrary to my custom, read aloud to her before publication.

The vocal afflictions of emotion don’t you know.

My apologies my Love. I know how you enjoy my voice.

 A Covenant with Motherhood

By LFM

Joy abounding brought to this,
By Nature’s Laws and sweetest kiss,
My Love, that I may lose you now …
Please hear my mind, and know my vow.

The advent of our child draws near.
I’ll not diminish that with fear,
For Motherhood’s a Holy thing
The Mother of us All doth bring.

So as we know it, you and I,
That giving Life, there’s some that die,
My Love, we share this joy, us two,
Whilst pray me to The Gods – not you.

But know thee Love, that Nature’s plan
Lies far beyond the ken of Man,
And what my selfish wants require
May find us short of Their desire.

And so, whatever comes to be,
This covenant’s for you and me –
The Bairns we have, I’ll see them whole
To Warriors of Heart and Soul.

For though I crave with all of me
Forever more for US to be,
The way forever’s meant for us
Is through our Bairns, t’was ever thus!

~ A Covenant With Motherhood ~

The Crows and Coyotes among you will understand absent any further explanation. For everyone else there is this to light the way out of today’s meditation …

Sheep dog, wolf, sheep, grey man, however you see yourself, I am here tonight to tell you that all of these epithets fall short of the mark you should be aspiring for.

I say, be as the Bay Leaf.

Be As The Bay Leaf

By LFM

The unassuming Bay Leaf, known to ancient Greece and Rome
Is in your kitchen, like as not, and in most every home.
To leave it out when called for is impossible to hide,
“What does it do?” is understood by everyone who’s tried.

It looks like many common leaves you’d find a day afield,
And whoever first espied its ways is ne’er to be revealed,
Much is lost from then to now for mysteries remain,
And he who’d name it “common” would had better think again!

The Bay is what it is no matter what travails befall,
Boil it, bake it, steep it, it will stand before them all,
Coming out unaltered ere it joined the bill of fare,
And leaving things much better for its simply being there.

And he who fain would masticate this gentle leaf of power
Will find himself in battle pressed more hotly by the hour,
For even when its done its job, Bay’s vigour isn’t spent,
With back of throat sensations urging sinners to repent!

To staunchest chews it shows disdain to hold its shape and poise,
To swallow any part forbids the utterance of noise,
So bring the best to everything you touch whate’er befall,
And hold thee to this guidance, be as Bay Leaves one and all.

~ Dark Sentiments Season 15 — Day 14: Be As The Bay Leaf ~