Both groups in here are real and to the members of both,
I thank you for being there in spirit as this was written,
And tip my hat to all of you for being there.

Laying here in a winter’s dark about the time of the change of the season, tossing and turning as the night stretches out like a long double edged blade.With these being the times when the demons arise, come forth and make their way, as well as being occasional times when all the good and bad guys I have been come together in me too. Here in the deepest hole of the night and that of the new day.Though the story has been sad at times there ain’t no need for crying,-
With all that has happened it was all taken a day at a time as well as play by play, with there having been times I opened my fist as I reached out for all of those things I might have missed. And whatever was done is done along with all that was said including those that shouldn’t have been.Though subtleties threaten to strangle me like a noose as I wonder if that final blow has fallen, I know that all the things seen in the dark side were a mix of real and unreal images.

Insight can help to put things right and I am tired from the fight. Yet I know I can’t win my heart won’t let me give in though it threatened to give in once. As I get dropped to my knees when the lights go out as I wonder if I am not the cure but the disease, and knowing that to simply touch is to heal and to hurt is to steal as I again attempt to shoot the moon.

Finally able to cross those blue hills at the border of Morpheus’ realm, standing here alone before those great gates of the dreaming made of iron and horn. and finding myself on a slight ridge as I see those dark clouds gathered on the far horizon. Along with a strange arrival standing there that seems to be a thousand miles away and clearly seen. As I look at those skies here in the dreaming that look to be full of dark holes chased with sapphire and gold,-
Wondering if I should trust the lines on my hands? All that I have and have had lies in the web between my fingers, as I see those finest silver threads slowly unwind along with those scars I carry that the sun’s dark light wouldn’t heal. Closing these tired eyes of mine I feel a force building from deep inside of me from the core of my being, as I raise a hand as if to reach out for all those things I have missed and instead clench my fist as a signal of defiance. As that force comes from deep in me in the form of a massive Rebel yell that causes the valley to shake. With lightning striking and thunder rolling almost as if on cue when that yell ends in response. A force that has fed on all the fear, disappointment, pain, rage, and disillusion that I have felt.

Though I know I stand here alone I hear an echo coming from the sides of that Rebel yell, that hits with the same intensity and force as the one that poured itself from deep inside of me. Looking to the left I see all those I’d stop a bullet for standing there shoulder to shoulder, and as I look to the right I see that Mangy Motley Crew and my ragged, tattered pennant flying in the wind. When I hear a voice directly behind me from one who is a member of both groups that stand side by side, calmly hearing them tell me: “That I am not alone, and they heard and came when they heard my call”. Watching that strange arrival and the growing clouds around them, I know they are the demons from the Nightmare realms and are gathering in formation to attack. And in the silence I hear shuffling footsteps behind me that causes me to turn and see who comes; and Isee a tired, ragged looking clown who left the jester’s dark courtyard in the north to join this fight. Making his way with a mixture of fire and ice in his eyes to cast his lot with us,-
Taking a breath and with a voice that should be in a John Ford film, I issue the ancient mercenary marching cry of: “Hell or plunder, Comrades March.” And we make our way into the valley weapons in hand from the ancient to the modern to face our demons, to either put them to the sword, drive them back to Hell, or back to the Nightmare realm(s) in the dreaming. As forces collide with the flash of sword and ax mixing with the staccato sound of modern weapons being fired. As both engage in hand to hand combat to free and ease hearts and minds, or to hold and torture the same.

Waking in the grey light of the false dawn I feel as though I had been in a fight. Yet I feel light in both heart and mind and rasp a reply into the phone with what’s left of my voice. Hearing the same from those who call and ask if we met and fought demons in the dreaming. Apparently it was real and though only wisps of all remain here in the waking. The pain was felt, by alll who were there with me truly touched the night in a just cause,-
The demons and that strange arrival were driven from us back into those Nightmare realm(s), easing hearts and minds when the time came for all to once again lay their heads down to rest. Shreds remain and are carried with us in the smoking mirrors of the mind as we go through this Vale of Tears. That we all stood together for a common good and proved the bonds we share run deeper than thought.

Copyright February / March 2008- 3: Timberwolf International LTD.