Write With Honor

A Story by STurner

If you read and understand this, it is good. If you do not, worry not, you're not alone either.

Write With Honor

They came in a dream; no, in a vision. These days I rarely know the difference. The Dinee’ the ones you call Navaho, they are the People. They claim that when a man’s life is in true balance, there is little difference between the waking and the sleeping world. Perhaps I have reached that place – moving beyond this world through the Mists of Avalon. I have arrived at the Council of Grandmothers.

I was not surprised to see Mary called White Buffalo Calf Woman among them. For she brought life to the Lakota people and her transformation changed me from cradle Catholic to born again pagan walking Earth Path. But I deviate only slightly. Among them I saw Quan Yin, and Pele. There were others I did not know as well, for it is not my time.

But among them came a crone, so wise in her years, dressed in doeskin as white as snow. She spoke I knew, the ways of the mountains and of the canyons, and of the pipe, the male stem, the female bowl, rich and strong together. The sacred tobacco carries the prayers to Waken Tonka, that which has no parts.

In silence, she lifted the pipe and wanted to hand it to me. I wanted to take it. Yet no, I said softly. I cannot. I will not. For the pipe is not my medicine to carry. For those that carry this medicine I knew… strong, sacrificing, avoiding all that twists and turns the mind and tantalizes the body. Bold, clear sighted, the pipe carrier can see for miles. No, this medicine is not mine to carry.

In other lives, I have been a warrior. I have lusted and I have loved and I remain the man that I would warn my daughters against. My sacred partner has a gentle touch, a backbone of steel, an eye that sees the Soul. This life like all the others, I have stood for justice. Justice is only for a few for there can be no mercy. In justice there are trials by fire. We who carry the black flag… Cry HAVOC and let slip the dogs of war, know that the only verdict can be death. Some say I am a good man. I call them fools. My alignment true is lawful evil. I have died with swords driven clean through, machine guns ripping away my chest, and even a bout with consumption… lasted too long that life. The point is… through my dark heart.

I bear no shame with who I am. We all have our role to play on the stage of life. So I raised my hands, bowed before the old woman. I cannot do as you ask. She smiles at me. She nods. It has been another test. Life is full of them… each breath another challenge. Don’t you see?

So came another grandmother. “You have chosen well.” She lifted before me in offering a pen. A pen? This may cause you to laugh. But this is no ordinary pen. A quill pen; the feather that of Eagle, the shank long and slender of Malachite and the tip… ah yes, the tip was gold.

Then Grandmother uttered the words “Write with Honor.”

An so I am here before you now. I am a dark spot on your shield of light. You know there are three types of people; sheep, wolves and sheepdogs. Sheep are to be sheared, wolves to devour and what of sheepdogs? If you feel a little uneasy, it is well that you should. For we sheepdogs are but trained wolves.

You ask: Are these the ramblings of a mad man? Perhaps I am, for these days I can only wonder where wakening ends and the dream begins. Do you sit in Judgment’s seat? Funny, I have lost the sense of caring what others think about me any more. I need only be clear for me. I write for an audience of one in these days. Do you understand what is written here? No rhyme, you say, just riddle. Well, laughs I… then what you know and understand here is how well you know and understand me and those like me. If you should get it, then… we are twice blessed for we have found one another. Better to be a demon where angels dwell than a fence walker. For if you slip, and we all do, it will mean the end of you. And that my friend is the truth.

My words to you: Be true to thyself,

whether angel or demon

or something inbetween

“Write with Honor.”

© 2008 STurner

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Reviews

Justin D

Just by reading this, i can tell you have been through soo much in your life time. Youve been tested over and over again and you are now able to use your knowledge to tell others what you have learned in your lifetime. This is a inspiring peace and i loved reading it. Keep up the good work :)