Exponential Detritus

But not at all for the faint of heart

The lifeless shells of famous former people

The Siren

He listened in thrall to the song of the siren,

Her voice like a star as it flew through the air.

He drowned in her eyes as she called him to follow,

And likened the sun to the gold of her hair. She swept up her arms and held him close to her,

Her soft lips caressing the lines on his brow.

He could not resist her, a magic had trapped him,

And nothing could save him, for she had him now. She pulled him down with her into the clear water,

He gasped as death started the grip on his soul.

His life ebbed away as she dragged him still further,

And laughed when she saw she’d accomplished her goal.

(Charlotte Lester)

Waterhouse painting of same.

Death: A major change or transformation, possibly traumatic and unexpected. Freedom from the shackles of the past. A new beginning. Death coupled with rebirth, usually related to consciousness and lifestyle.

King of Cups: The essence of water behaving as air, such as a billowing cloud in the blue sky: Great maturity, endless patience, tolerance of other points of view, and a deep knowledge of human nature. One who intuitively knows the strengths of those around him, and gently cultivates them. Remaining calm and relaxed in all situations, and making artful use of diplomacy or a quiet word to resolve conflicts. The ability to listen to what another person is saying, and truly understand what is in their heart. A rewarding partner and a beloved leader.

…because it has a doggie in it. Maggie is obsessed with doggie movies right now.

“M’kay, well, I don’t like you…but it was a good doggie movie.”

“What was your favorite part?”

“When the doggie howled and played dead.”

“Did the dog talk?”

“Yes, he talked..Hey,mom, why’s there no sound on the tv?”

If you haven’t seen it yet…

Poetic Vitriol

The Trumpeter of Krakow (a true story)

This is the story of the “Hejnal”, as it’s called:

From the tower of the Church, for centuries past, the Hejnal, or Hymn to out Lady(whose Church it is), was played by a trumpeter. He played it four times to the four winds, and he played it every hour. One day, many, many years ago, as he played, the trumpeter saw in the distance a cloud of dust which grew bigger with every passing moment. It was a large army of Tatars galloping towards the city. These cruel invaders from the east had more than once advanced to Krakow, nay, even farther, and they had pillaged and burned, looted and murdered and carried off the young people to be slaves in their camps. The trumpeter was horror stricken. How could he warn the city, how could he convey to the people the approach of danger and give them time to prepare their defense? There was only one thing he could do. To go down into the town and spread the alarm would be foolish, for it would waste precious minutes. He must play the Hejnal, over and over. That would surely arouse the citizens, they would certainly be aware of approaching danger. So he played, again and again. At first the people of Krakow were puzzled.

Why was the trumpeter playing over and over? and with such loud urgency? But they quickly realised that it was a warning and that from his lofty tower ha had seen danger approach. The soldiers sprang to arms and took up their stations on the walls of the city. The burgesses ran to secure their houses and place their wives and children behind locked doors. The apprentices seized their arrows and their cross-bows, the artisans seizes what tools they could lay their hands on, and they all marched to the defense of their city. Suddenly, the sound of the Hejnal ceased abrubtly.The notes had reached the ears of the Tatars as they approached, and their keen eyes had espied the figure of the trumpeter. As soon as they came within bow-shot, their leader, the surest marksman of them all, loosed his bow, and the deadly projectile logged in the trumpeter’s throat.

But his task was accomplished, and Krakow was saved. Thanks to his warning, the people were able to defend their city, and they inflicted a crushing defeat on the Tatars, killing one of their princes.

And since that day, the Hejnal has been broken off at the same note on which it was broken off by the Tatar arrow in honour of the trumpeter who gave his life for the city.

Ivy:

You have pursued a goal with admirable persistence, even when faced with hardship, and have made progress towards it. It might be wise to examine this goal in the light of changing circumstances, and ensure that it is still the goal you wish to pursue, and that the methods you have chosen are the best ones for the task.

Hawthorn:

The situation has been frustrating, and you may have reacted somewhat hastily. Examine the past and see if you rushed matters, or too-quickly chose between undesirable alternatives. Time has changed things, and perhaps opened up new options which could benefit you.

Home with a fussy teething baby. Sang her John Lennon songs for an hour, now we’re watching the Wiggles with no sound. Oh, the howling, oh the crying, oh how I love her in spite of all that.