For Brigid

We have no words just prayers.
Six, Lu and Angus

For your Big Bro.

Poseidon's Law

When the robust and Brass-bound Man commissioned first for sea
His fragile raft, Poseidon laughed, and “Mariner,” said he,
“Behold, a Law immutable I lay on thee and thine,
That never shall ye act or tell a falsehood at my shrine.

“Let Zeus adjust your landward kin whose votive meal and salt
At easy-cheated altars win oblivion for the fault,
But you the unhoodwinked wave shall test – the immediate gulf condemn 
Except ye owe the Fates a jest, be slow to jest with them.

“Ye shall not clear by Greekly speech, nor cozen from your path
The twinkling shoal, the leeward beach, or Hadria’s white-lipped wrath;
Nor tempt with painted cloth for wood my fraud-avenging hosts;
Nor make at all, or all make good, your bulwarks and your boasts.

“Now and henceforward serve unshod, through wet and wakeful shifts,
A present and oppressive God, but take, to aid my gifts 
The wide and windward-opening eye, the large and lavish hand,
The soul that cannot tell a lie – except upon the land!”

In dromond and in catafract – wet, wakeful, windward-eyed 
He kept Poseidon’s Law intact (his ship and freight beside), 
But, once discharged the dromond’s hold, the bireme beached once more,
Splendaciously mendacious rolled the Brass-bound Man ashore….

The thranite now and thalamite are pressures low and high,
And where three hundred blades bite white the twin-propellers ply.
The God that hailed, the keel that sailed, are changed beyond recall,
But the robust and Brass-bound Man he is not changed at all!

From Punt returned, from Phormio’s Fleet, from Javan and Gadire,
He strongly occupies the seat about the tavern fire,
And, moist with much Falernian or smoked Massilian juice,
Revenges there the Brass-bound Man his long-enforced truce!

Another Passing

My Air Force son in law lost his father yesterday to the horror of cancer. We here at the Six household are grieving for another family member gone.

Son. Lu and I want you to know how much you mean to us and how hard we are taking the loss of your father. He was a good and fine man and he raised a great son. You are a good and fine man and in the end that is all a father can hope for. That his son becomes a man. I know you are grieving and sad at his passing. I wish we were there for you. We hope you can take heart at your memories and hold on to the things he taught you and the lessons every father hands down. I know you are not a believer but Lu and I are so we hope you will accept our prayers for you and your mother at this time. That goes for your siblings,  DO and the kids as well. The loss of a parent is hard, so very hard. We understand that and we will be here for you if you should need us. With Mom's death just a few short months ago we do understand what you're going through. Not that such thoughts help. These are the times that try a man's soul but Lu and I know that you will pass this test as you have all others.

It's a tough way to start the new year. Let us all hope it's the last.

Six

Ed Rasimus - RIP

I just learned that Ed Rasimus passed away yesterday. The world is a little darker today. A little sadder. A little less wise. Another Warrior we can scarce spare has slipped the surly bonds.

No more razor sharp political take, his ability to pare away the BS and get down to the roots.

So many books unwritten.

So many stories untold.

So many young minds without the opportunity to be schooled by a master.

No more Saturday Morning Rocker. 

I never met Ed in person but I was fortunate that he discovered my little blog and occasionally stopped by with a pithy comment or thoughtful observation. The first in a long line of Warriors who unstintingly gave from his store of wisdom. He readily gave advice to those who were appreciative of his efforts. He never pulled punches but called things exactly as he saw them. Those comments here are now more precious to me than gold. I read his books and even offered my opinion on what he should write about next. He was a good man, one I fear we will never see the likes of again. I've often said that America was just fine as long as we could continue to produce men and women of the Caliber of Ed Rasimus. I pray we still can though I am afraid. 

Ed is undoubtedly ensconced at the bar in Fighter Pilot Heaven, sharing a drink with old comrades and telling stories. He has his Warrior body back, hale and strong, complete to bullet proof mustache. I am gladdened by the thought. But we who remain for a little while are saddened by our loss.

Clear skies and fair winds Ed. You will be sorely missed but never forgotten.

Six
A humble admirer.

Perspective

Amidst our personal battles it's easy to lose sight of what is most important in our lives. Family. Friends. Those we love with all our hearts and souls. Last night, after a long battle, Rick lost his lovely bride of 32 years to the scourge of Cancer.

Words are insufficient. My heart aches and my thoughts go out to Rick and his family. May God grant him mercy and the comfort he so badly needs right now.

Rick, you will never be far from our thoughts and ever in our prayers. Lu and I grieve with you.

Six