Thomas Alan
The Living Force
I had a dream, though very grim, had a glimmer in it that I want to share.
In the dream I am in Cormac McCarthy's world as depicted in his novel The Road. For those who haven't read this one, something horrific happened to the world. First, a great burning, then heavy clouds, increasing cold. And plants wouldn't grow. The novel begins a point about 10 years after these events. Nearly all the world's people have died. The few remaining scavenge food from the ruins, and some turn to cannibalism.
I am with a small group of maybe twenty people. Over time I have gradually assumed a leadership role in the group. I help organize parties to search for food, try to get group members to apply their skills, and provide encouragement to our ever sinking spirits. Sometimes, at night around a fire, I tell stories with hopeful themes to help the group keep going.
Recently, a psychopath and his five henchmen has found us adding brutality to our other troubles. As the dream begins the Path and his thugs have left for some reason, but we know that they will return soon. We have decided to get away if we can. We are going to move South, not knowing what if anything we will find.
I decided that we will walk along an abandon railroad path that had been converted to a recreational trail long ago in better times. The trail is much deteriorated by over a decade of weather but still passable. And we will be less likely to encounter those who would do us harm, on the trail, than if we walked on the road.
Most of the group has started down the trail under cover of darkness. A companion and I have stayed behind to scavenge what we can before joining the group. We find some small packets of jelly, condiments from long forgotten restaurant. Not much, but anything will help. I also find a 45 cal pistol with a full magazine and holster. I put the gun and holster on my belt and we set out to join the group. I take the pistol in case the Path and crew catch up with us, I will have some way to defend us.
We join the group where the trail crosses a county road. They are plodding along, just barely able to walk, suffering from malnutrition, sickness and fatigue. Their clothes, as are mine, are rotting and shredded. Their eyes sunken and hopeless. (Don't know how I see all this, it is very dark and very cold. But, it is a dream, after all.)
As we start to cross the road to continue our journey South along the trail I glance up to the sky. The clouds have parted, clear sky for the first time in over a decade. The Milky Way sparkles in all it's splendor.
I shout "Look, something is changing. Something wonderful, maybe the Sun will shine in the morning." Some glance up, but still have the hopeless, plodding demeanor. They have been disappointed so many times, they dare not let their expectations rise.
Just South of the road, we encounter an old railroad trestle that has been converted for trail use. As we start to cross the bridge I notice the remnants of vines clinging to the trestle structure. As I pass near the rail, on one of the vines, I see two green leaves. Green Leaves!
"Look at this" I shout. "Something has changed. We still, likely, will have tough go of it for a long time to come, but now we have a chance."
Now, the step of the group quickens just a little, they stand a little straighter. In their eyes I see a glow that has not been there for years. We continue to walk, now with a slightly more confident step.
I wake up at this point. The first thing that came to mind was Laura and Ark's annual ICHING reading. The feeling of still a hard journey ahead, but with changes coming, a shift in fortunes.
The appearance of the pistol in the dream might be a interesting symbol. In the novel, the man and his son find a survivalist's bunker, stocked with food and supplies. They also find 45 cal bullets but not the pistol itself. Perhaps, in this case, the pistol does not represent a physical weapon, but instead symbolizes the knowledge we have gained in the Group, with which we can "defend" ourselves against the dark forces.
Much to ponder in this dream for me. Much to learn. When I awoke I thanked the DCM for the experience.
Mac
In the dream I am in Cormac McCarthy's world as depicted in his novel The Road. For those who haven't read this one, something horrific happened to the world. First, a great burning, then heavy clouds, increasing cold. And plants wouldn't grow. The novel begins a point about 10 years after these events. Nearly all the world's people have died. The few remaining scavenge food from the ruins, and some turn to cannibalism.
I am with a small group of maybe twenty people. Over time I have gradually assumed a leadership role in the group. I help organize parties to search for food, try to get group members to apply their skills, and provide encouragement to our ever sinking spirits. Sometimes, at night around a fire, I tell stories with hopeful themes to help the group keep going.
Recently, a psychopath and his five henchmen has found us adding brutality to our other troubles. As the dream begins the Path and his thugs have left for some reason, but we know that they will return soon. We have decided to get away if we can. We are going to move South, not knowing what if anything we will find.
I decided that we will walk along an abandon railroad path that had been converted to a recreational trail long ago in better times. The trail is much deteriorated by over a decade of weather but still passable. And we will be less likely to encounter those who would do us harm, on the trail, than if we walked on the road.
Most of the group has started down the trail under cover of darkness. A companion and I have stayed behind to scavenge what we can before joining the group. We find some small packets of jelly, condiments from long forgotten restaurant. Not much, but anything will help. I also find a 45 cal pistol with a full magazine and holster. I put the gun and holster on my belt and we set out to join the group. I take the pistol in case the Path and crew catch up with us, I will have some way to defend us.
We join the group where the trail crosses a county road. They are plodding along, just barely able to walk, suffering from malnutrition, sickness and fatigue. Their clothes, as are mine, are rotting and shredded. Their eyes sunken and hopeless. (Don't know how I see all this, it is very dark and very cold. But, it is a dream, after all.)
As we start to cross the road to continue our journey South along the trail I glance up to the sky. The clouds have parted, clear sky for the first time in over a decade. The Milky Way sparkles in all it's splendor.
I shout "Look, something is changing. Something wonderful, maybe the Sun will shine in the morning." Some glance up, but still have the hopeless, plodding demeanor. They have been disappointed so many times, they dare not let their expectations rise.
Just South of the road, we encounter an old railroad trestle that has been converted for trail use. As we start to cross the bridge I notice the remnants of vines clinging to the trestle structure. As I pass near the rail, on one of the vines, I see two green leaves. Green Leaves!
"Look at this" I shout. "Something has changed. We still, likely, will have tough go of it for a long time to come, but now we have a chance."
Now, the step of the group quickens just a little, they stand a little straighter. In their eyes I see a glow that has not been there for years. We continue to walk, now with a slightly more confident step.
I wake up at this point. The first thing that came to mind was Laura and Ark's annual ICHING reading. The feeling of still a hard journey ahead, but with changes coming, a shift in fortunes.
The appearance of the pistol in the dream might be a interesting symbol. In the novel, the man and his son find a survivalist's bunker, stocked with food and supplies. They also find 45 cal bullets but not the pistol itself. Perhaps, in this case, the pistol does not represent a physical weapon, but instead symbolizes the knowledge we have gained in the Group, with which we can "defend" ourselves against the dark forces.
Much to ponder in this dream for me. Much to learn. When I awoke I thanked the DCM for the experience.
Mac
