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…beep…beep…beep…I can never tell if I have crossed over into the after-life until my conscience
mind starts to hear the trace of the electrocardiograph machine and then I realize that I am still among the living lying here with tubes in every part of my body and I mean every orifice of my poor old body. “How are you feeling this morning?” The question of the day asked by the attending nurse on duty, “Will you turn on the television please?” I mumbled, still groggy from the previous night’s medication. “Here you go, the cable network news” the nurse quipped. We’ve been going through this routine for the past eight months while I’ve been waiting for a new heart from some unfortunate soul whose life has ended so that I may continue mine. I don’t know if it’s morbid or predatory or hopeful; but I watch the news for fatalities; accidental, homicidal, suicidal, whatever, hoping that someone’s tragedy will be my blessing. I’m not wishing for someone to die but I understand that it is part of living except if it’s preventable and in my case it is. I just need a healthy heart from a type “O” person to continue my journey here on earth.
“OH MY GOD!” The nurse shrieked as we both gazed at the image projected by the cathode-ray tube not believing what we were witnessing; a building was on fire, a very tall building was on fire, because it was in a collision, a collision with a large passenger jet-liner. Huh? I quickly glanced at the calendar on the wall to make a mental note of the day, Tuesday the 11th. As we both were glued to the TV a second plane hit another building identical to the first. Buy now the entire hospital seemed to be in one synchronous state of shock as if this were more than just two mere accidents caused by human error. As the saga unfolded it was evident that the U.S. was under attack with numerous casualties of war. I couldn’t help but think of my condition and the prospect of a type “O” organ donor with a healthy heart, a victim of this attack, collateral damage as defined by the administrators of warfare.
(Three days later)…beep…beep…beep…”I’ve got good news for you!” My ears heard a shrill voice by the side of my bed as the thin framed doctor and the dutiful nurse slowly came into focus. “We have a heart for you!” she said with reserved enthusiasm. I’ve always dreamed of this day. I wanted more than anything to hear those words, the only thing I would not give was my first born even though he caused me so much pain at birth and in rearing; but because of his untimely death I had the will to live to see after his daughter my only grandchild and his brother my youngest son. I was determined not to leave before my time, even if just for the good of the kids. Alas God had answered my prayers His divine providence has shined on me once again despite the challenges of my own sins; but first I feel I must pray for the previous soul of my new heart.
“Oh lord I thank you for this opportunity at renewed life. I thank you for this gift that only you could see fit to provide. I pray that I continue to live a right life for you and the one who had this gift of life taken away. I pray that we can share in spirit your blessing”
“Ms. Wright…Ms. Wright…” as she broke me from my spiritual moment, “Ms. Wright I will need to have you sign these documents.” The doctor went on with her garish smile starting to wane. “You see there is a very special case with this particular heart.” But of course, I thought to myself. “This heart is from the recent accident on the 11th" she continued, “Apparently another flight aimed at the White House was diverted and crashed into an open field in Stony Creek Township near Shanksville and a heart survived.” “Oh how terrible!” I remarked somewhat disingenuous.” I will honor the life of that person and would like if at all possible to send my condolences to their family.” I said with as much sincerity as I could muster. “Well, Ms. Wright none of the passengers survived with any usable organs or any of the flight crew or the pilots...” the doctor said with a strange tone. So my mind went racing, if all the passengers died with no usable organs and all the flight attendants and even the pilots too… who was left? Was this truly a miracle of biblical proportion? “Excuse me Ms. Wright…” as the doctor broke me from my dream state again, “I will need your signature here to accept the heart from the hijacker of United Airlines flight 93.”
Note from the Author: The title was inspired by one of my favorite authors Ernest Hemingway. The story was inspired by a report that Israel had been harvesting organs of captured dead Palestinians (without the families consent) for its own citizens. The report raises so many questions, not just ethical questions but also motive and legal queries too. Is Israel’s choice to remove organs and then send the deficient bodies back to Palestine the ultimate shame of war or is the “ultimate shame” to allow preventable deaths of a nation’s citizenry to take place?
Many of us have been raised to think that sports and politics were the boundaries that would never be crossed. However, a unique football match held in Australia on November 28, 2007 between A-League team - Sydney FC and David Beckham's crucial team - LA Galaxy, has demonstrated how the two teams have inevitably grown to engage the same ground.
I know that people say it's wrong to slander the dead. But as a lawyer I know that a dead person can't be defamed. Earl Woods was a philandering caddie and the media kept it secret. Tiger Wood's highschool girlfriend claims that Tiger cried his eyes out when he discovered that his daddy was cheating on his momma. Even she finds it ironic that Tiger would became infamous for being an world class infidel.
However, Tiger didn't just have one side woman or two small indescretions. He messed with porno stars and prostitutes and he posed for the camera like he was a model citizen. Enough already I'll stop talking about it because I still respect his accomplishments in the field of golf. I just want him to be honest with the public that patronizes the products he sells. I don't judge Tiger for his sexcapades. That's between him, his family and God. What I critque him on is his failure to come clean. Say you've made some mistakes, you're human and quote a bible verse, "whose ever without sin cast the first stone." And honestly Tiger, we would all have to sit down and shut up...Including Me!
Hi, my name is Tiger Woods and I am powerless over pretty white women and my life has become unmanageable. I have learned that I do not have the power and the control I once thought I had. I have learned that each one of these women wants something and most often it’s my money.
But I have also learned I am not powerless over my attitude. I am not powerless over assuming responsibility for my own actions and reactions. I know that I am not alone; I’ll always have my caddy to carry my heavy load. I look to those who have been on this path before me (Kobe, Jordan, Clinton and Letterman) and carefully watch the steps they have taken and lawyers they have retained (Johnny Cochran where are you now!) I have destroyed the trust within my marriage and I fear my wife’s vengeance when she reaches for my 9 Iron. I have come to believe in a power greater than myself…the tabloid media and they have contributed to my insanity. I am on the cover of every gossip magazine on earth and have even made it to this obscure blog post. All in all I had a lot of fun ruining my image and my marriage; the suites were plush, the wine was fine and the sex was expensive. My kids will know that “papa was a rolling stone” and my friends will know that my wife got the Escalade, my Masters coat and a vacation home. I’ve heard some of my African-American friends say “pimpin’ aint easy…” and my Caucasian friends would always reply “…but trickin’ is twice as hard!” I didn’t really understand all that slick talk then but hind sight is 20/20, I was just looking for a good time. Maybe I should have hired an exclusive call girl service like Governor Spitzer… it would have been cheaper. By the way did I mention my name is Tiger Woods and I am powerless over pretty white women and that is my greatest fault?
JUPITER/NEPTUNE/AQUARIUS
A UNIQUE UPSTART APE ERUPTS
IN A RAP OF PRAISE........
IT RAISES UP
A PURE INTENT EQUINE JAR
AS JEAN (JACQUES ROUSSEAU)
ENTERS IN UPSTAIRS......
IT PREPARES AN UPSTATE
JUNTA PIRATES' PURSE.....
A RARE RIPE PASTURE PASTE-UP ART.....
AS A SUPER UNIQUE UPPER SATIRE ARTISAN
IT ASPIRES.....
AS A RAPIER-NATURE
IT TURNS UP JUST PURSUIT
AS ASTUTE PEERS ENTER INPUT.........
I have to let my heart bleed in order to get my head right.
I have to let my eyes drain to release the pressure.
It’s a process that takes place not often; but when it does, watch out.
I have to let my heart bleed so I can think straight.
I have salty lines running down my face.
It’s a process that takes place not often; but when it does, I’ll be stronger.
I have to let my heart bleed so I can move on.
I have knots in my stomach and I’m doubled over.
It’s a process that takes place not often; but when I’m done I can stand tall.
And when it’s over I can feel.
And when it’s over I’ll heal.
And when it’s over I’ll kneel…
And pray ‘cause my heart will bleed for you no more.
The victor is contained within the essay’s title but the fight is for the conscience souls of the world. The author suggests that the Creator has ultimate authority over His minion and He does, that is what the world needs to be reminded of. The only power that is greater than them is the power to choose. It is a fight between good and evil; God and devil for the power of your choice, which will ultimately lead to who will reclaim or claim your soul. You see, you were redeemed by the “lamb of God” but to lay person, what does that mean? Well, there was a time when sacrifices were the way to show reverence, obedience and worship to God. There is a humbleness in giving something in your possession away. But as the world grew and prospered there became an abundance of things; animals, harvests and material goods. God needed more of you not what you possessed; and so did the devil.
So God provided one last and final sacrifice. And the blood of that sacrifice was to wash away ALL sins, for ALL people, for ALL times but His requirement for this gift would cost you a fee that would render your soul; your life; your love and obedience to Him. The devil wants to take your will to do this from you. He wants you to choose what feels good to you or better put, what “tickles the flesh” because the body and the soul are fighting too. So you may ask did God create the devil?
Ezekiel 28:12-18
You were the model of perfection,
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
You were in Eden, the garden of God;
every precious stone adorned you:
ruby, topaz, and emerald, chrysolite,
onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise,
and beryl. Your setting and mountings were
made of gold; on the day you were created
they were prepared. You were anointed as a
guardian cherub, for so I ordained you.
You were on the holy mount of God;
you walked among the fiery stones.
You were blameless in your ways from
the day you were created till wickedness
was found in you. Through your widespread trade
You were filled with violence and you sinned…
Your heart became proud on account of
your beauty, and you corrupted wisdom because
of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth;
Just like you, God also gave Cherubs the power of choice and His most beautiful Angel became too prideful, corrupt with wisdom, lawless and violent. So God kicked Satan out of heaven. The cunning, clever, strong and beautiful Satan is still powerless over your will, your ability to choose between good and evil; your choice to accept God’s gift. He will never defeat God but he can defeat you by tempting you with the desires of your flesh. You don’t have to face him alone, God has provided you with an army and a battle plan; but He cannot make you choose. This is an epic conflict with everyone being accounted for, everyone will be tempted, no one will be spared; no one can abandon the power of choice, no one can resist the power of good and evil, no one escapes the field of combat. Your body will become a casualty of this spiritual warfare; but your soul will rise or descend with your choice between God and Satan.
This is Tiger and his wife during happier times. That was before Woods crashed into a fire hydrant and his wife was rumored to have caused the accident by beating on his car with a golf club. How ironic? The very tool that makes him millions is the same tool used to bring his private and possible public downfall. No doubt ratings will probably go up for his golf matches. But will those Billions in endorsement dollars continue? Tiger begs for privacy in during this embarrassing moment in his life. But does he deserve privacy? He makes a multitude of bucks off of his public appeal. But the real question is-Will the idealistic public forgive him for being human? Less than the god that they glorified him to be?
Originally written November 17, 2009 for Creative Writing with T. Medina.
Obsession and Reverence*
By: Mahoganie Jade Browne
he was taught to pray three times a day.
Sunrise. Afternoon. Dusk.
Sometimes East. Sometimes West.
No true religion.
Just fun and games.
Until…
he stubbed his toe.
Lost everything to friend and foe.
Bare.
Cursing.
he walked away, feeling forsaken
Thinking.
he did his share of proper worship.
Asking.
What had he done to trigger what he had wrought?
No reflections in the dark.
No echo.
No sound of his own breathing.
The open space rang loud and clear.
Empty.
Like his prayers.
Suddenly playing church wasn’t an option anymore.
*Title taken from Lloyd McNeill’s painting “Obsession and Reverence” (1963) currently on display at Howard University’s School of Fine Arts Art Gallery.
