FIREFLIES
11/7/22
Although the News Gives Us Reasons for Despair
We Remember Michael’s Story:
Michael’s Story
Michael’s reconnaissance unit was operating behind the lines in Vietnam, a war without those reassuring lines. An accident separated him from his people. Somehow, he bound the bones of his broken leg together with sinew and torn, muddy cloth, cross braced with a dirty stick, and crawled three nights and days back to his unit. After years of flashbacks and learning new skills Michael found glass blowing. The transparency, pliability and brittleness of the medium felt right and drew him further, fragile metaphor for the pain he knew so well. Eventually he found himself embarked on a series of bone-like pieces joined at right angles, braced with soft material. The series continues, and Michael’s work is shown nationwide, recognized and appreciated especially by veterans.
born into the world
this cosmic dance of light and dark
a brief moment
* * *
Amidst narratives of despair, we must refocus on the small points of light all around. I’m a former trauma therapist and on-scene disaster consultant, a teacher, a painter, and now a writer. Last year I found hope in gathering stories of individuals persevering against all odds to overcome despair. Fireflies Against Darkness was my first collection of such stories, and More Fireflies, just released, the second. As current events become the spectacle of darkness for another year, I find myself working on a third collection. I want to share them with you.
Adapted from
More Fireflies
Arroyo Seco Press
www.arroyosecopress.org/books.html
www.layeredmeaning.com
