no more claws!

last night i drove home with the heater on for the first time in quite a while, thinking about emerson joseph mattson kiefer. what does one say, when such a dear friend and his wife have a child? all else seems to fall pale in the wake of such things. christian called me on his way home in the car, stating that his wife was in labor, and wanted a beverage from jamba juice. we spoke about the beatles, and what a great band they were, though i've not listened to them all that much. later that evening, when i listened to his message, i was struck by the great calm and presence in his voice. it was the voice of such a deep certainty. yes, all other things may fall into question, but the clarity of having a child must be absolutely inescapable and somehow timeless. it was the voice of a new father. if there is such a thing as a perfect moment, then that is it. and what a beautiful name. i chuckle at the fact that he was born on the same day as william faulkner. and so i drove, thinking about the magnitude of a new life. i have always enjoyed driving with the heat on and windows down, for it is such a specific feeling, that can only be experienced in the technology of our modern world. yes indeed, some of these incomprehensible inventions are truly beautiful. jefferson, awash in the cold air, only to be warmed and soothed instantly by the rush of warmth that swirls so gently. alas, this fog that rolls in off our bay is such a wondrous gift. and today again the air looks cold. the sun has fallen into the arms of grayness, and the clouds smile their sinister smile and blow their clandestine wind. and today, i am thinking about arnold. good god. what can i say? he seems to be leading the polls currently, and what i previously thought to be quite humorous, is quickly becomming a dire matter. then again, i found george w. bush to be rather funny at the debates as well. he was the court jester to me, the fool in the funny hat. this time, it is the fool with the big muscles. move on has some great info if you're interested.

meanwhile, i read sy safransky and sigh that familiar sigh that i am such an immeasurably small part of this world. "i went to an antiwar demonstration yesterday. too many leftists sound as if they've audited courses at the Rush Limbaugh School of Oversimplification. hatred is hatred. a leftist demonizing the president is no different than bush inveighing against "the evil ones." but i'm glad i went, just as i'm glad to be sitting here peacefully this morning with my cat in my lap. of course, if a mouse suddenly darted across the floor, how abruptly this peaceful moment would end. could i do anything to keep my cat from pouncing? would it make a difference if a hundred thousand mice had demonstrated yesterday, chanting, no more claws?" ~Sy

Posted by jeff at October 3, 2003 01:28 PM

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