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I love you

I love you, because I love you.

I know that seems ridiculous, but it’s true.

I love you because, I love you.

I don’t need to think about who you are, or what you stand for.

I love you for you, because you exist. I love you because I cannot imagine not loving you.

I love you for who you are, who you will be, and who you have been.

I love you because of your smile, and the way you laugh when you see me, that makes me happy.

I love you because you’re fierce, and uncompromising in the face of adversity.

I love you because you’re strong.

I love you because you are willing to learn.

I love you because you are brave.

I love you because you are humble.

I love you for all of these things, but most of all; I love you because you, are you.

I would not trade you for all the life, and riches in the universe.

I love you, because I love you.

The Viking and the Apologist: Hard Battle in Techno-raptor valley.

Kent braced himself against the cliffs edge, and readied his spear. If the techno-raptors were to kill him, it would not be for a lack of fight. As the half lizard, half robot monstrosities drew near – their gaping maws dripping saliva and gore, Kent steeled himself for battle. Then lighting struck the ground and sent the raptors flying. Looking up Kent saw Ansgar descending on a winged horse to save him.

“Climb aboard boy” Ansgar said. “Once we have rid this valley of these dreaded techno-raptors, I will once again know your flesh!” Kent sighed at the sight of the big man, and climbed up behind him. “I will follow you anywhere mighty lord.” Kent gushed as they rose into the sky.

Kent clung to Ansgar, noticing the big mans muscles as he gripped him. As they rose into the heavens Kent kept his hands close to Ansgar’s inner thighs, feeling the power there, and remembering his short time with the mighty Viking warrior.

Then without warning, Ansgar raised his battle axe, and the valley was riddled with lightning. Bolts of pure energy raining down destruction on the techno-raptors, and their keepers the Cloaked Ones.

The battle seemed to be won, and Ansgar smiled back at Kent.

“It’s been some time, boy.” Ansgar said.

Kent blushed and looked away, struggling to control the fire burning in his belly. He yearned for the big man’s caress.

Looking down, Kent noticed one of Cloaked Ones performing some obscene ritual. He swung his face back up to Ansgar at the evil sorcerer plunged a knife deep in his own heart.

“Ansgar, below!” Kent cried.

At this moment one of the Elder Beings rose to confront Ansgar and Kent. The Eldritch horror hosted a thousand tentacles – its awful stench permeated the air as it rose to face the mighty warrior and his consort. Strange energy surrounded the horror as it set itself to do battle with Ansgar, and his faithful farmhand Kent.

Without warning the monstrosity attacked Ansgar with unholy energy, knocking the big man out with one mighty blast.

Ansgar wilted in his saddle.

Kent had to think fast. His master was unconscious, and he was ill prepared for battle.

Then Jesus came to him in the last moments and said:

“Kent, the power to fell these beasts has always resided within you.”

Kent focused on the power that could only be accessed by a pure believer. The power of Christ filled him, and he prepared himself to strike.

As Kent clung to Ansgar he found his member engorged with blood, and his bloodlust worked to an unbelievable level. Kent pulled back with his spear and thrust it into the heart of the Eldritch terror, slaying it with one mighty attack, and sending it back to the abyss.

As the winged horse settled to the earth – Ansgar was lowered, unconscious and limp to the ground.

Kent, panicked at the sight of his great lover. His heart swelled to bursting, as he threw himself at his lovers body.

” Ansgar, your mighty deeds will not be forgotten! I will carry your memory as long as I live!”

Tune in next time for the stunning conclusion, in the saga of The Viking, and the Apologist.

On The Shore

From caring for the thankless, to comforting the bereaved 

I found a family out there on the shore 

Through days without rest, and nights without sleep, we stood at the ready, for the wounded and the weary, the desperate and the frenzied, that washed up on the shore. 

Their numbers did not matter. Our numbers did not matter. Even when they washed us out to sea, we swam back and cared for them, in the shelter of the shore

Everyone us us, devoted to the task of caring for the hopeless, from bed pans to vomit bags, from drunks to junkies, from the very old to the very young, we cared for each and every person, in the shelter of the shore. 

Then the waters dried up. Though we worked and tried the shore became a desert and the hope we had ran through our fingers  like sand in the ocean. No matter how fiercely we gripped at it, it washed away. 

I’m here now, in the echoes of family and friendship, hoping for the day that I find you all again. 

Those gentle, loving, fearless hearts. Those who’s spirits I adore, out there waiting on the shore.

Fin.

To my Shands Lake Shore family. I’m blessed to have known any of you.

Here’s to good sleep

It’s ten minutes to midnight

The voices are singing

The first soprano is belting out the truth

Eight minutes to midnight 

The voices are familiar 

They sound like home, I can hardly resist 

Six minutes to midnight

Everybody is in their places, waiting for the inevitable 

I gussy myself up 

Four minutes to midnight 

I’m pretty, tell me I’m pretty 

I’ve made myself up for you

Two minutes to midnight

So warm, so easy

Like slipping into a bath, squeeze the ducky

It’s midnight 

I’m alone, not sure what to do 

The bombs drop, death everywhere

At least Im clean. 

Not Little, Not Lost: a poem for Lucy

Not Little, Not Lost: A poem for Lucy.

When the days become unbearable and you find your strength is waning.
The evening brings anxiety upon your your mind is reigning.
When the perils of existence leave you wounded, beaten, tossed.
You’ll find that you are powerful, not little and not lost.

When you sense that your identity is slipping through your fingers.
Desolation in your soul seems eternal as it lingers.
When holding to the tethers exacts an awful cost
You’ll find that you are capable, not little and not lost.

Never let them tell you what you can and cannot handle.
Never let them treat your inner beauty as a scandal.
Your love and warmth are paramount in burning off their Frost.
My dear you are a warrior, not little and not lost.

Douglas stared at his martini. It was perfect. Not to dry or sweet and no matter how many he drank (this was his third) he never got further than a perfect pleasant buzz. He had a sudden flash of his death. He’d had several of these since sitting down here at the Alors Je Suppose Que Je Suis Mort bar and grill just up the street from the pearly gates. Something heavy, Douglas couldn’t remember what, had fallen on him and crushed the life out of him. It had been very unpleasant, but mercifully brief. Now here he was…awaiting judgment, having a perfect martini. He looked around the room. It was a typical bar/restaurant. The were pictures of movie stars, and licence plates on the wall. It was bright enough to read but not so brought as to make it uncomfortable. He downed his martini and glanced up at the bartender. Mort. Mort looked like every bartender Douglas had ever known. He was tallish wore hornrimmed glasses and had dark hair and complexion. He wore a white button down shirt with a black tie and slacks. His sleeves were rolled up to reveal very hairy arms. “So this is the afterlife?” Douglas said. “Apparently sir.” Mort answered. “Another martini?” “Um. Sure, why not.” Douglas said. Mort set to mixing the martini. “I assumed there’d be more…you know…flames.” Douglas said. “If you would prefer to be on fire that can be arranged sir.” Mort said “No, no. Uhhh. No. Just the martini is fine. Thank you. ” Douglas said. Mort nodded and continued with the drink. Something about Mort gave Douglas the screaming heebie geebies. Though the man was almost preternaturally polite the was something predatory about him. He looked at Douglas as a man might look at his dinner. “So how long does this usually take?” Douglas asked. “Not that I’m in any hurry. Just curious.” “It takes as long as it takes” Mort said dismissively. “The line to get in is quite long you know. Your not the only person who died today. ” Douglas liked around at the empty bar. Perplexed. “But I’m the only person here.” Douglas said. Bewildered by the statement. “You’re the only person you can see here.” Mort responded. “We like to keep everybody separated until they’re placed. It cuts down on the drama.” Placed. So there was still a chance he wouldn’t get in. “Um. By placed you mean?” Douglas asked nervously Mort sighed audibly. “Yes placed. Where you’ll be best to serve the Lord. If you were damned they’d have made past your knees and to your genitals by now. The Damned get a straight, one way ticket to the bottom of the Pit.” Mort said setting the fresh martini in front of him. Well that was a relief. Douglas settled in and sipped his drink. He waited, and waited. And when he hit bored with that he waited some more. After what seemed like an eternity (the irony of this thought was not lost on Douglas) he finally got up the nerve to speak again. The aura around Mort was unpleasant to say the least, but there had to be a way to expedite the process. “Hey uh Mort” Douglas said. “Yes sir. ” Mort said. “It seems like like I’ve been in here for years buddy.” Douglas said. “Yes sir. Seventy three of them to be exact. ” Mort said. Douglas stared. Dumbfounded. It took him a full ten minutes (days?) To recover. “That’s just a figure of speech Mort. ” Douglas said “Yes sir. I gathered as much, but you were correct so…” Mort replied. Douglas stared at Mort. He hadn’t considered time differential until now. He sat back down. Another flash. He had pooped himself. Well hell of course he had. A fucking piano had fallen on him after all. Wait. It was a piano. Douglas had gone out like Willie goddamn Coyote. Fuck. He had been on his way to a date with a very promising Cubano lady when it happened too. Douglas had flogged his dolphin more than once to her Instagram page. Hell, he’d even manscaped his nether regions in anticipation of what he’d hoped would be a fruitful night of fucking and cuddling. Ce la vie. Then the side door opened. Douglas turned to see what might have been the loveliest woman he’d ever seen wall into the bar. There was a funny thing though. She didn’t arouse him at all. I mean at first sight she should perked at least I tinge. A twitch of cock. Something. Yet when he looked at her he limped right up. It didn’t make sense. Then to his surprise she walk right up to him. “Mr. Douglas Van Winkle?” She asked starring at her clipboard. “Ummmm yes. That’s me.” Douglas replied. “I’m Verititous. I’m here to assess your proper placement in Heaven and more industries LLC. How are you today?” “Yeah. I’m feeling okay I guess. ” Douglas said. “Very well. Don’t worry about your sex drive. It’s fine. I have that affect on people.” Verititous said. “I’ve been reading over your resume. There’s not much here that is of use to us.” “Yeah. About that. I don’t remember filing out a resume.” Douglas said. “You were on earth for 14,192.65642 days. We calculate your resume by the combined skills, knowledge, and the level of sacrifice made our learned by you in that time period. ” Verititous said. “Oh I see.” Douglas said “Not much you can use?” “No. Not much at all ” Verititous said. “Of course if masterbation were a marketable skill in heaven you’d be a shoe in for a good position.” Douglas figetted at this, and cleared his throat. “I didn’t masterbate that much.” Douglas said embarrassed. “17,432.565 times. Honestly Mr. Van Winkle I’m surprised it didn’t fall off.” “Oh okay. Wait how did I manage to wavk it .565 times?” Douglas asked. “We account for attempts as well as success’ Mr. Van Winkle. ” Verititous replied. “I think we’ll put you on the golden streets and pearly gates maintenance crew. You should fit right in what with your knack for polishing things. Here is you credentials. Please report for duty promptly tomorrow morning, and in enjoy your stay in heaven. You almost didn’t make it you know.” “Yeah. I was a bit surprised myself.” Douglas said.

A Song of Gabriel

I stare out at the firmament, where the ocean meets the sky.

Crimson honey gold spreads out like paint spilled in water.

A song of Gabriel.

Apollo pilots his chariot into the sea quenching the Helios flame.

Night falls across the world crying out:

“Cast your inhibitions aside and embrace my darkness my love; I cannot hold you forever but I will hold you until morning comes.”

Absentee

A young girl lies dead, blue lipped, in her mother’s arms; choked on sarin gas in Syria.

A young bride shivers and weeps, covered in silvadene in India.

A young boy prays this is the last time in Philadelphia.

And still there is no sign of you.

Is Atheism a Religion?

The short answer is, no.

Atheism is not a religion. It’s a declarative stament about the existence of God/gods.

This is a popular argument between atheists and theists. I’ve noticed theists using it to derail conversations, fairly often. Ask them an uncomfortable question, and they’ll lob it into the conversation like a hand grenade. It works all too well.

If you want to piss off every single atheist in your circle, just make that stament. Then sit back and watch the conversation devolve into chaos.

Watch as the conversation becomes a definitions game. That game is seldom won on either side.

So here’s my question:

Would it matter?

If atheism were a religion, would that classification affect the validity of its core stament:

There is no God, or I don’t believe in God.

I don’t believe it would.

We don’t oppose religion because it’s classified as religion, we oppose it because it’s not true. Because organising ones life around a lie forces one to deny fundamental truths that contradict that lie. This has disastrous effects on society.

It’s the cause of oppressive laws, science illiteracy, bigotry, and violence in the name of said beliefs. Just to name a few.

The constant need to square the circle. To make actual reality, reflect fictional “reality” so you can continue to believe the lie.

This is laid out much more eloquently by Nicholas Lamar Soutter in his wonderful article here:

https://www.theatheistcodex.com/

If any of the religions turned out to be true we’d be forced to drastically change our approach.

So, the next time some theist uses the tired old turnip “atheism is a religion” maybe don’t argue for three hours over definitions. Maybe instead, ask what difference it makes. Put the onus on them, and watch them squirm.

It works. I promise. Every time I’ve used that response, the theist in question was stumped. I’ve actually watched their face drop.

Why? Because there is no good answer. Explaining why we oppose religion, and how their assertion is irrelevant, true or not, leaves them with no angle to work.

That’s just my opinion my loves. Stay strong, stay resolute, and be the atheist that makes your local pastor wake up in a cold sweat.

I love you all.