10 Years Out or There is a Season

10 Years Out or There is a Season

It’s ten years out. Already.

I don’t know what I’ll be doing.

I can tell you what I won’t do though:

I will not cry, choke, cough, gasp or startle at loud noises,

I will not listen to bagpipes serenading lists of those who died and

of those whose names yet await in the wings,

I will not watch military flyovers, flag wavers, photo montages or multiangle videos,

I will not listen to a single politician,

I will not go to church.

I will not fly a flag from my car’s rear window. Or anywhere.

I will not drive away as fast and as far as my car will take me and that wifi cannot reach.

I will not condemn Muslims any more or less than Christians, Jews, pagans, atheists, agnostics, secularists, Republicans or Democrats:

that about gets everyone. I’m good: they’re good.

I will not pray to the God of my childhood for that god no longer gives joy to my youth:

that god fuels way too much bizarre behavior in otherwise rational people

who claim his heavenly blessings and to act on his will.

I will not get white knuckles, diarrhea, reflux or palpitations;

I will not have nightmares whether asleep or awake.

I will not listen to justifications of war and violence of any kind levied on innocents.

I will not backslap the militaryindustrial complex.

I will not watch Fox News or Colbert nor will I sing patriotic or religious songs.

I will not remain with any who do.

I am alive until I am dead: I embrace life and the dawn.

I lift up those who have died and those who wait.

I move until I can’t move any longer.

I embrace peace always and in all ways. I do not hate. I will not hate.

I thank the universe for love, life and those who still strive for harmony.

I will not look back, not even in a rearview mirror held in place tempting me to do so.

I embrace irony especially love from unexpected and unscripted sources,

I laugh at absurdity and beware the zealot.

There is a statute of limitations on all things including grudges and freaking out.

It’s run.

There’s no cause of action remaining.