In my Lucia's absence Life hangs upon me, and becomes a burden; I
am ten times undone, while hope, and fear, And grief, and rage and
love rise up at once, And with variety of pain distract me.
-- Joseph Addison
It's not fear of striking out that makes me reluctant to step up to the
plate. It's the fear of getting hit in the head by a 90 mph fastball, the
pitcher coming off of the mound to stomp me with her cleats while I am
down, the rest of the opposing team rushing out of the dugout hurling
insults as they kick me and spit on me, while all along the crowd in the
stands is cheering them on and laughing at my failure....
From too much love of living,
From hope and fear set free
We thank with brief thanksgiving,
Whatever gods may be,
That no life lives forever,
That dead men rise up never,
That even the weariest river winds somewhere safe to sea....
