Are We Truly Alone?

Are we truly alone?

Do we stand in the breach

Untouchable, irredeemable,

Each in his own prison,

Thinking of the key?

Where are the ones who fought with us,

Lived with us, died with us?

Vanished like ghosts in the morning sun,

This sun beating mercilessly upon us

As we stand by the side of the road.

There was a time when we longed to see the sun

To escape the shadows of night.

Now we flee from the sun,

Seek refuge in the shadows

Cast by the tall tall trees

Alone, with only our sweat

And grime and tears.

But no blood.

Our hands are dry of blood,

But still unclean from sweat and grime and tears.

They said it would be better without blood

But now they are gone,

With no blood to show that once they were here.

Where is our companion, our Comforter?

When we look up at the night sky

And contemplate the universe

Is there anything there to contemplate us?

We can scream into the shadows

And it’s good that we can,

But our screaming only echoes,

Never finding a home.

The sparrow finds a home

But we are not sparrows

We are only strangers

And sojourners in this our own land.

We carve our names on the surface of history

But we don’t belong there.

Others will carve their names,

Never knowing we were here first:

Finders keepers, losers weepers

In this valley of tears.

We Are Not Alone

We are not alone

The answer to the longings of our heart lies outside of us, 

beyond us, in the sphere of the supernatural.  

We are not our own fulfillment, 

and when we attempt to be,

 the consequences are devastating 

for us and for the world.  

We knew this once, but we have forgotten.

Deep within us, we know it still.

But how can we remember

If there is no one to help us,

To open our eyes

And point out the way?

The way leads down paths dark and dreary,

Under hanging trees and over raging seas.

The silence of truth is deadly,

But we must die all the same.

We have no other choice.

It is only through dying that we may be free.

Free of ourselves,

Free of the shackles that bind us to our own self-centre,

Our reflection in the monstrance

(a reflection only monstrous).

We look in the pool and see ourselves,

And we call it good

For a time.

But soon we are disappointed

For we cannot touch our reflection,

We may not possess ourselves.

There is set a limit on us,

A line we may not pass

For love of all the world.

The thing we love most cannot satisfy;

We are a chalice we may never drink

As long as we live.

As long as we live

We are incomplete.

If we worship ourselves,

We worship the finite,

And worship itself rebels

And recoils against such blasphemy.

We become the mystery that we are not

A void and vapid New God

In a void and vapid New Age.

We give ourselves freedom that we cannot give

Daring the deeds we should not dare

And deeding the dares we ought not deed.

We offer the same religious praise

Which once we had offered the infinite

Only we do not believe in the infinite

Only in ourselves.

But we cannot live without offering it

Nor can we die unless we do so.

And we wish to die,

Each in his prison wishes to die,

For we know that we must die

If we wish to escape the horrors.

We cannot escape the horrors

As long as we live.

We do not even have each other

For each is all alone

And each worships himself

In his dark and lonely chapel,

His chapel empty and still,

Not even the wind’s home,

Only his own.

He knows that the others are there

But wishes that they were not so,

Or that they were in a different way,

A way that were better for him.

Sometimes he forgets of them,

And is angry when they encounter him.

He cannot find it in his self-absorbed heart

To forgive them their virtues.

We repeat our empty words

Over . . .

. . . And over . . . 

 . . . And over . . .

. . . Again.

And we shall repeat our empty words

Tomorrow . . .

. . . And tomorrow . . . 

. . . And . . .

. . . Tomorrow

The Hunt (Snowfall Spinoff): Chapter One

The Hunt

The First Chapter
When the hunting-beast fled after slaying Snowfall, he ran as far and as fast as he could without pause, not knowing where his legs were taking him, and not caring.  At last, when he was too weary to run any more, he collapsed and lay in the snow, panting heavily.  The scent of the girl's blood was still in his nostrils, and he could not get it out.  Then he realized that he still had her heart with him.  It lay in the snow beside his head, the scent of it seeping through his nose and into his mind; his head pounded, and his vision swam.  He could not believe that he had allowed himself to kill her.  At the time, there was nothing else to do, but now, now that she was dead . . . why?  Why did she have to die?  So good, so pure, so lovely.  It was wrong; he was wrong, and he knew it.  He had known it all along, but now the truth stood before him and would not lower its accusing finger.  He had slain beauty, and his deed could not be undone.  At last, he could bear the torment no longer, and his consciousness drifted away and he knew no more.

When he awoke, the sun was shining, but he was very cold.  He rose to his feet and shook himself, but was surprised to see how far above the ground he stood.  Then he realized that he was standing on his hind legs, which were bare of all fur.  And his front legs were not only fleshy, but were not even legs; they were arms, the arms of a man, with two hands of five fingers each.  He lifted them to his head and felt a human face.  Once again, he was a man, standing naked in the snow.  And at his feet lay the heart of the Princess Snowfall, the heart which he had sworn to deliver to the Queen, that she might devour it, destroying her rival once and for all.  But she would never see it.  The huntsman dug a hole through the snow and into the ground, laying the heart in it and covering it with earth.  Then he sank to his knees and begged forgiveness.  But he heard no reply save the howling of the wind.

How long he knelt there he did not know, but when he finally rose he knew that he had to seek shelter soon, or he would freeze to death.  The sun was going down and the cold was growing worse.  So, rising to his feet, he deliberated which way he would go.

To the East lay the palace of the Queen whom he had sworn to serve so many years ago, when he made that fateful promise which would haunt him the rest of his life.  To the North and South the mountains stretched on for many miles.  But to the West -- to the West lay other kingdoms, other places where the Queen's dominion held no sway.  There was no telling what might dwell there in the great unknown of the rest of the world.  He had never been there before; there was nothing there to remind him of his past life and deeds.  To the West lay freedom, so to the West he turned and begin his journey.

* * *

But as the sun sank below the mountains, and the shadows sprang up all around him, he felt his legs give way beneath him and he fell on all fours.  He lifted his hand before his eyes, and it was no longer a hand but a fearsome paw.  With the coming of the night he had become a beast once again, and he prowled through the darkness, continuing his journey by the light of the moon.

We Are Not Alone

We are not alone

The answer to the longings of our heart lies outside of us, 

beyond us, in the sphere of the supernatural.  

We are not our own fulfillment, 

and when we attempt to be,

 the consequences are devastating 

for us and for the world.  

We knew this once, but we have forgotten.

Deep within us, we know it still.

But how can we remember

If there is no one to help us,

To open our eyes

And point out the way?

The way leads down paths dark and dreary,

Under hanging trees and over raging seas.

The silence of truth is deadly,

But we must die all the same.

We have no other choice.

It is only through dying that we may be free.

Free of ourselves,

Free of the shackles that bind us to our own self-centre,

Our reflection in the monstrance

(a reflection only monstrous).

We look in the pool and see ourselves,

And we call it good

For a time.

But soon we are disappointed

For we cannot touch our reflection,

We may not possess ourselves.

There is set a limit on us,

A line we may not pass

For love of all the world.

The thing we love most cannot satisfy;

We are a chalice we may never drink

As long as we live.

As long as we live

We are incomplete.

If we worship ourselves,

We worship the finite,

And worship itself rebels

And recoils against such blasphemy.

We become the mystery that we are not

A void and vapid New God

In a void and vapid New Age.

We give ourselves freedom that we cannot give

Daring the deeds we should not dare

And deeding the dares we ought not deed.

We offer the same religious praise

Which once we had offered the infinite

Only we do not believe in the infinite

Only in ourselves.

But we cannot live without offering it

Nor can we die unless we do so.

And we wish to die,

Each in his prison wishes to die,

For we know that we must die

If we wish to escape the horrors.

We cannot escape the horrors

As long as we live.

We do not even have each other

For each is all alone

And each worships himself

In his dark and lonely chapel,

His chapel empty and still,

Not even the wind’s home,

Only his own.

He knows that the others are there

But wishes that they were not so,

Or that they were in a different way,

A way that were better for him.

Sometimes he forgets of them,

And is angry when they encounter him.

He cannot find it in his self-absorbed heart

To forgive them their virtues.

We repeat our empty words

Over . . .

. . . And over . . . 

 . . . And over . . .

. . . Again.

And we shall repeat our empty words

Tomorrow . . .

. . . And tomorrow . . . 

. . . And . . .

. . . Tomorrow

To Blog . . . or Not to Blog

I know, I know: I just used the most-quoted/paraphrased line in the history of quoted/paraphrased lines as the title of this post.  But it's late at night and I don't care right now.
I'm wondering why I even started this blog at all, what I hoped to accomplish with it.  I guess what I wanted most was to have people reading my writing, but that didn't quite succeed to the extent I'd hoped, considering how few readers this blog has.  I also wanted motivation to actually write, and a medium through which to explore creative new methods for writing-styles and topics.  Considering that this is the first post I've done in four months, I wonder how effective it's been in that regard either.
This leads to the question of why anyone blogs at all, which I suppose is simply a variant of the question: why do we write at all?
I think it has a lot to do with the longing for community in the human heart, that we naturally desire to share our creations with others because it is a gift of self that, when returned, gives us a sense of fulfillment.  We are social animals, but we are also the most lonely animals.  We are constantly striving to find ways to bridge the gap between our own selves and the others who exist independently of us.  There is a voice in our hearts that cries out for encounter with an "other".
And yet it is so easy to get wrapped up in ourselves and close ourselves off from our brothers and sisters.  We need to learn how to break out of our isolation, to pierce the dome of the petty realities that we make for ourselves and encounter someone who loves us.  We all desire this, even when we fail to realize it and when the desire manifests itself simply as loneliness and misery.
We blog in response to this desire.  We hope that these words which we send out into the world-wide-web will be read by someone who will love them and, by loving our creation, love us in some fashion.
Call me sentimental, call me over-poetic, but I sincerely believe we blog because we want to be loved.

Disney Classics: 53 Films Rated and Evaluated, Part 1

Walt Disney revolutionized the children's film industry with his first full length film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, creating in it an enjoyable, magical experience for Adults and Children alike, and allowing us all to enter into a different world wherein True Love, Mirth, and Goodness co-mingle in a beautifully drawn, expertly told Story. Now, in thinking about Walt Disney, and his movie making magic, I have decided to post an extensive, cursory glance at all 50 of the Classic Disney Animated Films, rating them each on five different aspects, and as a whole film.

The Five Elements (and their rating scale):
Animation
1. Mind Blowing and Ground Breaking
2. Beautifully Administered
3. Decently Enjoyable
4. Not Memorable

Plot
1. Masterfully Cohesive
2. Charmingly Told
3. Entertaining
4. In-cohesive

Humor
1. Superb, Lovable
2. Fun and Memorable
3. Entertaining
4. They Tried

Music
1. Beautifully Crafted
2. Pretty and Memorable
3. Entertaining
4. Not Memorable

Characters
1. Superbly Crafted
2. Memorably Lovable
3. Entertaining
4. Not memorable

SO, now that that's out of the way: let's get rating!

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS: number one in time, number 1 in Rating!
Animation was perhaps the most groundbreaking of any film of all time!, and not to mention beautiful - 1
Plot is Cohesive and Enjoyable - 1
Humor is alternately slapstick and soft, and always brings a smile - 1
Music is appropriately exciting and beautiful, and has lasted memorably through the ages - 1
Finally, the Characters are all wonderful (except for perhaps the Prince, who really received no character development, but as he is only one character in the whole movie, he is not sufficient reason to lower the rating), and fleshed out and enjoyable - 1

PINOCCHIO: a film of adventure and naughtiness and trying to be a REAL boy. This film is wonderful...but not perfect - 1.6
Animation was once again astounding - 1
Plot is rather disjointed, but still a charming tale - 2
Music is catchy, and one of the aspects we all remember most - 1
Humor falls a bit short, for though entertaining, sometimes we wish the overall somberness could be relieved with a bit more - 3
Characters are all lovable and wonderful! Pinochio is the little innocent we're all rooting for, Gepetto a sweetheart, and who doesn't love Figaro and Cleo? - 1

FANTASIA: I did not grow up with this film. I watched it as an adult, and found 0 appeal. However, I know others who love it. But here is my rating: 3.8 (to be fair, since this is a disjointed, episodal film, it can be unfair to judge it all as a whole. But, for the sake of consistency, that is what I must do)
The Animation was interesting, but nothing new, expect that is was unrelentingly dark in hue - 4
The Plot, well, there wasn't one. Now, while that's the point, the animators did not manage to compensate for it's lack of a real story. One got a vague idea that stuff was happening, but without offering any real enjoyment in the vagueness. - 4
Humor was entertaining. There were a few times I smiled and enjoyed myself - 3
Music: none of the music is original, but that does not count against it. What does count against it is the choices of music: these are slow, sleepy, or dark pieces, not the best choice for a young audience. - 4
The Characters were unfortunately not memorable in any sense - 4


DUMBO (one of my personal favorites!) This little guy gets a 1.2! Almost Perfect!
Animation is like a wonderful children's book on the screen, with bright colors, wonderful shapes, and grippingly muscular roustabouts! - 1
The Plot, however, is not perfection: a wonderfully told tale, but not much of a story line to it - 2
Humor is what this film is all about: Timmy the Mouse, and those fantastic Crows! - 1
Music is memorable and tearful, funny and wonderful - 1
And finally, Characters. It's these guys that stick with you and bring you back to the film again and again. - 1

BAMBI: A good film: I can see why many people like it, but I am not a big fan. I just never found it very entertaining as a whole.
Animation: Beautiful! - 1
Plot: Lacking, in my opinion, though I think a case could be made - 3
Humor: When they have it, it is very enjoyable! Who doesn't love Thumper? - 2
Music: Some music is very fun, but some is slow: it feels like Fantasia a little too often - 2
Characters: not very developed at all. Perhaps it is an intended barrier between human viewer and animal characters, but when the movie ends, one is left with the impression that he did not, nor ever really could, understand the inner workings of the animal world - 3

(I have never seen Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, Make Mine Music, Fun and Fancy Free, or Melody Time. And Ichabod and Mr. Toad is a vague memory in my mind. Therefore, until I can find them, I will hold off any judgments.)

CINDERELLA: that hope of Dreams coming true and a Forever Castle: that emblem that has become a symbol for all children of Magic and Childhood. She receives a perfect, bippity-boppity-boo! 1
Animation: Beautiful and perfectly suited to the story. We all know the thrill that accompanies the magical appearance of Cinderella's Gown! (even though we all liked the Mice's dress better - I mean, it was pink and soft and had bows!) - 1
Plot: each point naturally flows into the next, each scene setting up the rest, and the little mice escapades never detracting from the full feel of the film. - 1
Humor: We all Laugh! - 1
Music: A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes - need I say more? -1
Characters: The patient, hopeful Cinderella, The danger prone Gus and Jaq,  the evil conniving Step-mother, the stupid inept Step-sisters, the Fiesty Fat King, the Overwhelmed Duke! (and once again, in favor of all the other characters, I will ignore the underdeveloped Prince) - 1

ALICE IN WONDERLAND. One of my favorite books of all time, I have always wanted to love the movie, since it seems to follow it so closely: but I can never seem to do so. 2.2
The Animation is wonderful! Posters of that film are some of the most common, for the bright colors, the decks of cards, the falling down the rabbit hole, all stand out in our minds, popping up in them when we least expect it - 1

The Plot falls just short of Perfect; in fact, I'm tempted to give it a one, but I can't. For the film is just too hectic. Despite the fact that all flows in its unflowableness, and all is cohesive in its incohesiveness, (a trick allusive and impressive) yet the film feels rushed, and one must take a deep breath at the end. So, I give it a - 2
The Humor is just entertaining. There's little more to it than that, for even those silly scenes with the Mad Tea Party and the Evil Queen feel so over the top, that one is left little inclination to laugh at the immense muchness of the silliness. - 3 (and yes, I said Muchness! though in the wrong context)
Music: The Music again feels rushed and over the top. Entertaining, but not extremely memorable - 3
Finally, the Characters. They ARE memorable, perhaps precisely because of their over-the-topness. But who can forget the Red Queen, the little red king, the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit, or the Caterpillar. And who can forget Alice? - 2

LADY AND THE TRAMP. Another perfect film! - 1
Animation: The Beauty of Lady and the Tramp has captured the hearts and imaginations of us all! - 1
Plot is perfectly cohesive and captivating and just the perfect combination of danger, love, and man's best friend! - 1
Humor: Who doesn't enjoy a good Jockism? "Now there, Lassie. I wouldn't worry my wee head about that. Remember, they're only humans, after all." - 1
Music: Tony and Joe singing Bella Notte, and then the Siamese Cat song - every bit of music fits perfectly into the moment, creating the moment, and etching it into our memories forever. - 1
Characters: Fully fleshed out, perfectly collaborated, and wonderful interactions. - 1

PETER PAN, where Children never grow up and Pixie Dust raises us to the Stars! - 1.4
Animation: The animation, while not particularly ground-breaking, yet is perfectly attuned to the feel of the film. It is light, colorful, and fun. - 1
The Plot is well developed and enjoyable, but not complex or particularly mature: it is significantly less refined than previous films - 2
Humor: It is fun and slapstick. We cry, we laugh, we love: 2
Music: The music is very memorable and always just right for the moment - 1
Characters: All fun, memorable, Tinker Bell is a staple character for all Disney, and we all love poor Nana! - 1

SWORD IN THE STONE: Fun, Frolicking, and Forgotten! 2.2
Animation: Nothing impressive, but still enjoyable to watch, especially the dish washing scene - 2
Plot: the story has nothing impressive about it, and constantly takes long breaks. While these deviations are fun, they contribute little to the actual storyline. - 3
Humor: Really it's one great point. Merlin and Archimedes relationship is hilarious! - 1
Music: Fun, but not memorable - 3
Characters: Some good, some forgettable - 2


SLEEPING BEAUTY: Another Film I wish I could give an unequivocal #one, but I cannot. There are a few lacking elements. 1.6
Animation: Riveting, ground-breaking, gorgeous - 1
Plot: It's weakest point. Disney spent so much time and money on the animation, that they ran out of money halfway through, and had to finish up in a hurry. This is why our two main characters, Aurora and Phillip, do not speak in the second half. It is unfortunate, since otherwise, this film may have reached perfection above and beyond most other Disney Films. - 3
Humor: Very enjoyable, but disjointed throughout, mostly due to the lack of dialogue in the second half. For the fairies are wonderful, but not enough to compensate to make it a one. Maleficent's servants should have been funnier in the battle with Phillip, if they were to remain in character - 2
Music: The Music is Perfect! - 1
Characters: They are all extremely lovable, and huggable, and we finally have a developed prince! - 1

These are the first eleven films. I will post about the next ten soon!