The Door

Some time ago I walked out of the cafeteria to go to class in the Yeager center and was prevented from entering that building by what resembled a corpse. There in front of a perfectly serviceable door stood a body blank and dead.

"My, how can this be?" I asked myself when I came upon her, "There, a breath? Why she's alive!"

Thank God, now for the door.

"Fair maiden, I prithee ope the door to yonder Yeager."

Not a sound nor a move.

"What is this vexation that holds you so?" My query was left unabated. "Oh deary me! I must get to class, but trouble seems to have a firm grip on this one here."

"Shut up!" She hissed in a way that can only be described as air rushing through her teeth, but only after they have sufficiently vibrated her vocal chords in a very stupid, abject sort of way.

"Fie, the curds have turned!" I said aghast, "The perceived damsel has revealed herself to be a witch with a bee in her bonnet."

This object, this pillar has come to life to prove herself stronger than objection. The tenacity of those legs which held firm to pavement proved to be stronger than my mind. I was overcome by the bewitchment and stupor pressed upon me. With pupils dilated and teeth clenched I fought my grim fate, but fell and spewed forth profanity. Others, hearing the words of my mouth, came around and asked of God to give me the strength to put away such language for it is the worst of all sins. By their prayers I was blessed and given the whitest of smiles and straightest of teeth to stand against this woesome foe. I surged ahead, determined to open the door. I forged onward against the social awkwardness and derision caused by this situation and opened the other door that was blocked by the witch who's aim was to prevent this doubled doored entrance to be used to its full potential. Victory was gained and Yeager was thus made able to accept people making their way out and people entering in at the same time.

This happens all the time at CBU.

Special Day

This is a paper I wrote for my freshman English class. The assignment was to write about some significant event in your life. I, of course, bent the rules a bit or did I...


It was a day just like any other day. Except on this particular day we needed to buy some stuff, stuff we were in desperate need of or at least kind of wanted.

My friends and I sat in our room as we debated which store to go to. After surveying all the options, we decided to go to a Target near by. We hopped in the car and our hearts were filled with joy just thinking about the delightful things we might buy.

We arrived at our destination and started to walk in. On the way, one of the guys said, "Hey look a shopping cart." We all laughed the whole way in. That's not where carts belong.

The store had everything someone could ever dream of, provided that they didn't have too much of an imagination. Cody, one of the gentlemen who went with me on this fabulous adventure, grabbed a shopping cart to hold all the amazing things which would later fill it.

One isle had cookies and soft-drinks and another had plates and cups presumably to hold the cookies and soft-drinks. Target had soda on sale so the two other guys stocked up on it. I, on the other hand, bought some Gatorade which wasn't on sale, but alas the money bags that I am bought it all the same.

After our soft-drink procurement we went in search of a fan for my room. We went all over the store in search of this exclusive item to no avail. Later we learned that the store no longer had fans in stock. However they had heaters, but seeing as how we wanted to cool our room down this was not an option.

The adventure continued as we searched for a power strip to plug electrical devices into. Our route to this purchase was a long and windy one. Other things were bought on the way. Like a pair of pants that were on sale for six dollars. At this incredible bargain we were overjoyed. Also, we stumbled upon huge plastic swords for Halloween. As we stopped and marveled at such a wonderful thing as a ridiculously large plastic sword for Halloween we couldn't help but wonder where in the world could the power strips be.

On down the isle with movies and through the one with funny smelling ointments, our prize sat woefully on the bottom shelf. Beneath more important items such as alarm clocks. As I began to ponder this truth of the world something shinny caught my eye and I put the now forgotten power provider into my basket. Thus is the epitaph for all things old: We checked out and put our hold into the car.

Married Slaves

Every Wednesday I go to a small group from my church where everyone who shows up is a part of a couple, I'm the only single guy there. My singleness made itself very clear one night when we were talking about Christians being slaves to Christ. We got on this topic by reading Titus 2:9 and then moved to Romans 6. We talked about all the usual things like how "slave" didn't have the connotation then as it does now and that this term applied to believers in Christ shows our submission to him as our master. In this discussion I thought about something that I found interesting. The bible talks about us being slaves to Christ, but it also talks about us being married to Christ. So, I spoke up in the discussion and said, "Being a slave and being married are kind of the same thing." People looked at me funny and laughed saying, "of course the single guy thought of that." In Christ the application these two ideas grapple with trying to explain our relationship with God.

One taken without the other tends to leave something out of the picture. When we think of ourselves as slaves of Christ we tend to view this relationship as something businesslike. We realize we have a large debt that we can not pay off ourselves so we go to Christ, who is like an owner of a large farm or ranch, and ask him to cover our debt if we sign over our lives to work for him. Like ranch hands, we get a place to sleep and food to eat so our needs are met by our boss. This is a wonderful picture of salvation and union with Christ, but I think it leaves one wanting of something more. With this picture we look to our sin and see how great the debt is that was removed. We marvel at Christ for removing this debt and allowing us to be free from it, but our focus is on the debt that was paid. This description realizes the work of Christ, but it stops a bit short of realizing the person of Christ. When a husband looks at his wife he is entranced by who she is. Her beauty and charm are what capture him. What man looks at his own faults and chooses a wife based upon how she can counteract those faults? Such thinking is all well and good, but a man chooses his wife based upon worth he sees within her. Couples love each other based upon worth and beauty they see in their partner that can not be found in anyone else.

These two pictures should be taken together. We are married to Christ and we are slaves to Christ. Our contract with him to remove our sin is more than a promise to work for him, it is also a covenant which promises to love and be loved by him.

Uncle Lenny to Grandma and Grampa

August 3, 1945

36^th Oighter Cont. Sgdn.

A. P. O. 271, C/O P.M, N.Y., N.Y.

Dear Edith + Harry

Thanks a lot for the two Airmail letters received yesterday. I had pretty good luck on that mail call and also got a letter + AV-mail from Ma, 2 letters from Agnes, some church bulletins, a letter from the National Lutheran Council, A Mid. Mess. (5 months old, March 2), and a letter from Carnegie Steel.

The letters from Carnegie Steel Contained a booklet explaining the method of reemployment of former employees now in service. It also contained a questionaire inquiring if the party wished to return to the same job. I stated that I was going to school but might possibly seek a part time job during vacations.

Sorry the package has been causing you so much trouble. You'd think your friend the postmistress would overlook a mere 3/4lbs. Also sorry you had to take out the pork + beans. The boys in the last war complained about them but I would be very happy to see a few good old American beans. Hope you finally got it sent off all right. I certainly appreciate it especially when I realize those things are also very scarce for you. It means very much to us. For instance one of the boys gave me a bit of Campbell's Soup for the noon meal. Otherwise, my stomach would have been misserably empty. The regular food was, for the most part not worth eating. A few of the boys who get packages by the dozens live largely off of canned stuff + dry food. I wont be asking you for another package for a long time now. No, it certainly will not get here for my birthday. I hope I will get it in 2 or 3 months in good shape. Thanks a lot for the package and for the birthday greetings.

Ma also said she was coming up to your place. She also mentioned the fact that Uncle John, Vernon, and Mrs. Jarson might come along. I sure hope you wont have to try to put all of them up for the night. I guess you only one spare bed room. Does your couch open up into a day bed like Ma's? If you get Irene + Ray up there you will really have quite a bunch.

Glad to hear the prospective mother is getting along very well. I guess it is a good idea to get exercise but on the other hand not over do it. How is the prospective father holding out? I believe you are being very sensible in not caring much whether it is a boy or a girl as long as it is a healthy and normal baby. I can imagine how inexperienced you would feel. A baby seems so delicate and complicated. Yet, I guess the basic principal is simple, feed them when they holler, change their 3 cornered parts regularly, and keep them warn and they are old enough to take care of themselves before you know. That's my guess about babies. That, of course, is all theoretical.

I'm glad your concience is so outspoken. Mine also has said “Is this trip necessary?” but I just go on ignoring it. Now, the trip that I would call most necessary is the one that will bring me back where I came from.

The masculine viewpoint was definitely lacking. Since when is talking of babies a masculine viewpoint? That is unless it is a boy baby and who knows?

Myself + all my buddies are all in good shape in spite of our minor complaints, such as food, or the current condition of the bowels. All in all, we are getting along very well.

I changed my insurance a few days ago to a new plan whereby the second beneficiary (that's you) would get more money in the event that the policy holder (that's me) and the 1^st beneficiary (that's Ma) should depart this world. However, I am not expecting to depart for years and years, so it makes very little difference actually. Still it is a slightly better plan in my case.

We have received no pay for June or July yet + don't know when we will get paid, so we will get quite a sum when we finally do collect. I'll probably get a few extra bucks in perchim also. Of course we hardly need the money anyway. I have about $5 American money and $5 worth of Chinese money and I could easily stretch that out over 6 months or so except for p.x. Rations. We pay varying from $3 to $5 for our monthly p.x. Rations. That's really all we need money in this place for actually. In larger cities one would have a much greater opportunity to spend money. I have few desires except for souvenirs and I've about exhausted this town's meagre stock of things that might pass for souvenirs. I would like to send home one of those large hats the coolies wear (little drawing of a hat). They are about a yard round and are made of straw. They are typical souvenirs but, I believe they are too big to send home.

We have not yet received an August P.X. Rations, everything has been moving very slowly recently.

Well in 4 more days I will have 6 month's overseas time in my favor. It will also mean that I can send home my “Cross the Equater” certificate and any other informations regarding our boat trip.

The day before yesterday we had another fish fry. It is wonderful to tastes something for a change that has flavor to it. Our regular chow tastes like a mouth full of cotton.

Recently we were given some information concerning the availability of radiograms for the China theatre personal. They are fixed text (that is picked from a list of a couple of hundred such as “Glad you are getting well. Good luck!” or “Happy birthday Sister” or something like that. They cost only 2 or 3 cents (40cn) They take only 24 to 48 hours to reach the states. So don't be alarmed if I sent one on somebody's birthday or some other occasion.

Anges writes some interesting letters, especially about the kids. Bod + Elmer went to Riverview Park (whether with or without permission, I don't know) and lost or spent their return carfare money. They tried walking all the way home. Soon Bob started bawling and the police took them in tow. Johny talked to Elmer over the phone and asked how he liked it there. He said, “not so hot.” Finally johny picked them up in the car. Also Jack got a job as dish washer, well not quite as dishwasher. He pushes a button to start the machine and then watches it to see that all goes well. All that for $1.50 a time, less deductions for hamburgers and other edibles.

Well, I reckon I'll sign off for now. Hope you are both in the best of health.

Len

Hear My prayer, O Lord,
and give ear to my cry;
hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am a sojourner with you,
a guest, like all my fathers.
Look away from me, that I may smile again,
before I depart and am no more!

Psalm 39:12-13

There is hope

There is hope,
Dream not of death
For he will live tomorrow
And you will see his face.

His dwelling is known,
It has been told to you.
Think of that day when
You will fly on, beaming.

It is not done for you.
Selfish and terrible but
It was never about you.
He is God, you are not God.

Inescapable, inexplicable
Horror, terror, blameless slaughter,
For in his presence
Sin meets its death.

Dead but alive – I am.
Others have not mine,
Theirs now my duty.
Words carry more than meaning.

There is a hope
Founded in fear.
Trembling you must come
Broken by his call.

Fall and be crushed
Under the weight of his
Terrible beauty and
Surpassing goodness.

God has come to
Steal for himself those
Who by sleep have taken
Themselves from their start.

Bad made good.
Good made good in him.
Find the perfect,
Find your yes in him.

All That's Best of Dark and Bright

This is a paper written for Prof. Issacs English 201 class.


In the early 1800s, a banker named Douglas Kinaird suggested to two of his friends that they collaborate to produce a collection of songs which would later be called Hebrew Melodies. Lord Byron graciously accepted his friend's suggestion and gave Isaac Nathan, a young rabbinical student turned composer, the copyright to use the words he had written (Gordon 11). While Nathan's popularity faded away, the works of Byron are still widely read by student and admirer alike. From Don Juan to Childe Harold's Pilgrimage and to our own “She Walks in Beauty” it is easy to see within the stunning verse why these works survived. “She Walks in Beauty” presents the reader with a different conception of womanly pulchritude by comparing the woman admired with a dark and shimmering sky.

In June of 1814, there was festivity in London's air and Byron was taken against his will to Lady Sitwell's where he met his cousin by marriage, Mrs. Wilmot (Marchand 169). Byron stopped and wondered at her beauty which was made all the more apparent to him by the black mourning dress she was wearing. Byron was known as something of a Casanova, so it is unclear what all he did with his awe. What is known is that he went back to where he was staying in Albany, locked himself in a room and produced this poem by the next day (Gamber). The contrast between the dark dress and bright face made such an impression on Lord Byron that it still makes an impression on us today. What is interesting about this poem is that light does not overcome darkness, but the two work in harmony to bring out the beauty of each.

It is important to realize when interpreting the first line of this poem that it is an enjambment; meaning the first line should be taken with the second (Gamber). So, it is not that she comes over the room like a darkness which leaves those within to stagger around in ignorant blindness, but that she is like the stars revealing themselves in the absence of the sun. She is in mourning dress: the brilliance of the sun has left her and she is nonetheless beautiful. It would seem that the simple gown she is wearing enhances her radiance and does not detract from it. If one were to look up at the sky and watch the sun set, what would one see? That person would see the skies dim and the stars come out. It is because that one overpowering star has gone away that we are able to see the little stars in the sky. It is the same with Mrs. Wilmot. She is not in a beautiful evening gown nor is she decked out in her finest ball dress, but those loud adornments have been silenced allowing her inherent beauty to speak for itself.

“She walks in Beauty, like the night[...] (1)” There is something significant conveyed by the word “walk” in this opening line. The sun at daybreak appears in brilliance and glory, but the night comes in procession, creeping in at a stately pace. The image of Mrs. Wilmot resolves itself in the eyes of Lord Byron much like stars which slowly make their entrance into the night. This idea is picked up in line six with “Heaven to gaudy day denies.” The word “gaudy” is interesting in that it is a word which specifically criticizes appearance. All of those fancy dresses and frills that Lady Wilmot has worn have not added to hear beauty only distracted from it.

“[The] best of dark and bright / Meet[...] (3-4)” There are three possible interpretations of lines three and four that can be proposed. First, the writer of this poem has previously seen the lady in her brightness and now sees her in darkness (mourning). This meaning that he has seen her in day and now he sees her in night. The second two go together and support the simile presented in the first line. One, night has veiled beauty and twinkling stars making nighttime the best of both worlds. Two, these lines are using the previous idea to say that Lady Wilmot contains the best of both dark and light. In line nine the phrase “raven tress” tells the reader that the Lady has dark hair to match her dark dress. Dark and bright meet in Lady Wilmot in her beautifully dark hair and her beaming smile that wins (15).

“One shade the more, one ray the less, (7)” means that if the lighting were a bit dimmer or a bit brighter her grace would diminish. The lighting in the room seems to play an important role in Byron taking notice of Lady Wilmot. This idea can also be seen in line five were the Lady's aspect and eyes are “mellowed [by] that tender light.” The lighting is just so allowing little pinpricks to be picked up that might otherwise go unnoticed.

“Where thoughts serenely sweet express, / How pure, how dear their dwelling-place (11-12).” Now, the poem moves away from the physical beauty of Lady Wilmot to the charm of her mind and personality. The way the soft light shines on her and they way she shines out amidst darkness tells the writer that what is contained within must be alluring as well. Lines fourteen and fifteen give one an idea about how this woman is carrying herself at the party. Line fourteen says that Mrs. Wilmot is shy and reserved but still confident enough to move about amongst the guests at the party with grace. Fifteen informs the reader that people take to Mrs. Wilmot almost immediately because all she has to do to win someone over is smile at them.

“A mind at peace with all below (17),” proposes that the woman viewed is actually an angel from the heavens. This is certainly fitting with the rest of the poem. All the way through the poem this woman is described as one like the beauty to be found in the sky. The last line tells the reader that Mrs. Wilmot is pure and good, a thing which should be taken synonymously with beauty.

Byron turns a common poetical convention on its head by saying that it is not the fullness of one extreme that is the epitome of beauty. The brilliance of the noontime sun or the supreme darkness of night would only half express the beauty of Mrs. Wilmot (8). A beaming sun washes out a dark night with its twinkling stars and full darkness leaves one to one's thoughts. It takes the two combined to equal the weight of such prettiness.


Works Cited
Gamber, Garry. “Lord Byron's 'She Walks in Beauty.'” Ezine Articles June 2005. n. pag Fri. 19
Feb. 2010 .
Gordon, George. “She Walks in Beauty.” Byron's Poetry. Ed. Frank D. McConnell. New York:
Norton, 1978. 11.
Marchand, Leslie A. Byron: A Portrait. New York: Knopf, 1970.