IT STARTED WITH MY OPINION…

I once lived where I was not allowed to express my honest OPINION. At least, that is what I believed, until I moved and met a rare friend. She laughed and corrected my wrong perception after my painfully explaining the trials of living in a community with a great deal of division and political strife.

Her laughter and positive affirmation were more influential and powerful than the $100+/hour therapy I could have received professionally. What had she said that was more powerful than anything money could buy?

Me: “I was not even allowed to have an OPINION…”
Friend: “Oh yes you were…you just did not have the RIGHT OPINION!”

I have thought of her words many times as I watch the continual power struggles on every level in neighborhoods, communities, nations, and our world. I start to realize that there has to be a reason behind all our concerns as we try to apply BAND AIDES to cover the deep sores of a rapidly, sickening society.

If Truth is independent of temporal power, riches, or worldly position, where does truth come from? Perhaps it would not be the RIGHT OPINION to suggest that citizens heed what President John Adams noted, “that in giving to the world the notion of God as the source of all truth, the Hebrews laid before the human race the possibilities of civilization.”

How many of our own leaders today believe passionately, as did the signers of the Declaration of Independence, in our inALIENable rights? Oh, whoops! I am BORDERing on the wrong OPINION about ALIENable rights, right?

If you were to ask President George Washington he may quote to you from his address of 19 September 1796, as he prepared to leave office, “Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education…reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle…Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports…And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion…Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue?”

So in my OPINION, the strength of America is neither basically political nor legal. The foundation of this land is spiritual. So weaken a foundation and what happens to the entire structure? But this sort of OPINION will never change ABSOLUTE Government, will it? And why should one have hope that CHANGE is good? Maybe it will relieve some boredom, huh? Create a few new bureaus and job security, etc. Someone is certainly STUCK on BAND AIDES!
　　 So for what my OPINION is worth, the understanding that there are ABSOLUTE truths empowers humankind; it frees them to search for truth, encouraging education as a search for truth and teaches us that we all have our own finite limitations. A shared search for truth unites individuals of differing backgrounds and implies civilized social intercourse between those whose visions of truth may differ. It teaches humility, a decent respect for the opinions of others, a willingness to learn of truth wherever it is found, which ever side of the BORDER? I don’t know…some still prefer to BORDER on the truth.

In my OPINION, it seems to today’s cynics, all things, including right and wrong, are relative. Every assertion of right or wrong is open to debate. Are the only ABSOLUTEs for many today ‘power and self-interest’?

“Studies done at the Princeton Religion Research Center show that about seven American adults in ten believe there are few moral absolutes and that matters of what is right or wrong must be judged as each situation arises. Even among those who characterize their religious views as conservative, a majority reject the concept that there are moral absolutes.” (See Religion in America, 1992-93, The Princeton Research Center, Princeton, NJ, 1992-92, 25^th Anniversary Edition, 23.)

Do these findings seem to suggest that religious faith in America is relatively shallow? Are questions of right or wrong, based on religious or secular principles legitimate issues for debate on public policy? Abraham Lincoln must have thought so. In the famous debate with Stephen A. Douglas regarding slavery, Lincoln rejected Douglas’s assertion that the national government should allow the majority of voters in a territory to decide whether slavery should be allowed therein. In rebuttal, Lincoln stated, “When Judge Douglas says that whoever, or whatever community, wants slaves, they have a right to have them, he is perfectly logical if there is nothing wrong in the institution; but if you admit that it is wrong, he cannot logically say that anybody has a right to do a wrong.” (Quoted in Hadley Arkes, “Morality and the Law,” The Wilson Quarterly, Spring 1981, 102.)

Isn’t it ironic that America elected the first “black” President and that America IS seeing CHANGE? The moment a community begins to be wrapped up in themselves, becoming selfish, becoming engrossed in the temporalities of life and putting their faith in riches…let’s just say it is my OPINION that there will be those who foolishly borrow to SPECULATE rather than having actual collateral to back them in legitimate investments, then learn the hard way that their shoddy SPECULATIONAL foundation will not pay back those who were gainfully employed, building their very large, empty but spacious, dream that sits IDLEy .

In my OPINION, if Lincoln had lost the debate, there would be no first black anything as far as inALIENable rights stand. Will SPECULATING about the growing National Debt create a demand for more BAND AIDES requiring more new bureaus formed while creating additional jobs to stimulate INTEREST in real solutions?

In my OPINION: if the world is to be CHANGED, the CHANGE must start with the individual and spread outward to families, communities, nations, and our world.
.

~Get Off Your Ass~

By Mstree on Tuesday, February 23, 1999 - 10:37 pm:

One day a very wealthy and prominent land baron was strolling a fertile valley in the countryside. He was known to be very greedy and lazy and he held many hostage in his control. He owned the finest farm land for miles around and sharecropped to poor families with many children. It was a cheap form of labor and he prospered greatly at the sweat of others.

He gloried in the fact that he could make many grovel at his beck and call as they feared being left without the means to feed and provide for their families. He had heard of one man with seven sons who had prospered in spite of all that he had done to put and keep him down. He stroked his chin and devised a wicked plan.

He stopped in front of the simple and humble dwelling of this man. "James!" he shouted angrily. "James, get out here now!"

A very handsome man, tall and regal in his bearing, stepped to the front doorstep from his home. His black hair blew slightly in the breeze and his steely blue eyes pierced deeply the heart of the land baron. He stood six foot four inches tall and his muscular arms showed the hard work he endured daily. His wife and children came out and stood beside him.

"James Mangan, I have come to strike a deal with you!" he grinned wickedly. "I know that you are prospering upon my land and I hear that you have the finest Ass in this entire valley that you use to do your work with."

James listened and a grin spread on his face at what the wealthy land baron had just said. His children and wife tried hard to hide the snickers. James’s eyes twinkled as he listened further to the land baron's demands.

"I want your Ass now!" he demanded. "I have been walking all morning and I want to sit on an Ass and be carried home in a fashion becoming to me." His real intent had not been made known to James but James was wise and would not idly give this man his fine Ass.

"I will let you have my fine Ass upon one condition." James stated clearly. "You must sit on the Ass until you are back home again and then you will own my Ass. You must comply with this one condition or agree that I own my land and you will kiss my Ass thereafter!"

The wealthy land baron sniffed at the idea. "Hmmpft! How presumptuous of you James Mangan, but I agree to those conditions." Already he was laughing at the prospects that his plan had worked so well and he would own James Mangan's Ass and would take away his advantage and prosperity.

The oldest son Dermat led the fine Ass to the land baron. He helped him get on his Ass and they watched as the Ass went down the road at a fairly quick pace. James and his family broke out in peals of delighted laughter, for they knew the weakness of their fine animal.
"Does anyone want to tag along with me and watch the fun?" James asked his family. They promptly took up stride with their father. James made sure they stayed back far enough so as not to be detected by the land baron on his fine Ass.

The land baron soon rode into the town. He was proud of his fine Ass and wanted to publicly display it to all. He remembered that he could not get off his Ass so he sat there a moment and the fine Ass sat down in the middle of the town where all could see. He angrily tried kicking his Ass and get it to move but still he sat on his Ass.

He soon heard the taunts of the crowd that now gathered. "What a fine Ass you have, sir! He also looks like a very smart Ass to me!" The crowd broke into loud raucous laughter at this comment. They all knew the reputation of the land baron.

"Is he a lazy Ass?" another asked. "Or just a stubborn Ass?" Others joined in the continual taunting. The poor land baron would not budge either. He remembered James Mangan's words to him. There was no way he would move.

"You dumb, stupid Ass, you!" he cursed aloud. Tears were rolling down cheeks on the faces in the crowd now. James Mangan walked up to the land baron and smiled mischievously at his next words. "James Mangan! What kind of Ass is this I sit upon? It surely can't be a wise Ass! It has done nothing but embarrass me."

James had heard enough. He stood up tall and magnificent as his eyes again pierced the land baron's angry stare. "We made a deal," James said. "You were to sit upon your Ass until you arrived home where you could then get off. If you failed to do this, my land as well as my Ass would be mine and you would have to kiss my Ass!"

The crowd broke out in laughter again. James continued, "All you needed to do to get where you wanted to go is to get off your Ass!"

The land baron did not hesitate to think about what he was doing. He hopped off his Ass and immediately the animal stood up. Everyone had heard the words of the deal that had been made. Jeers were heard, "Come on sir...kiss his Ass!" The land baron promptly leaned over and kissed his Ass as agreed upon. The entire crowd witnessed what had happened and he could not back out of his deal.

James looked intently into the land baron's eyes and said, "All one need do to get somewhere in life is to get off their Ass...and it does not hurt to pat one's Ass once in a while!" James grinned as he patted his fine Ass and it took off at a quick trot for home.

The crowd cheered. James Mangan was a hero that day. He looked around at his family as they hugged him. But he remembered what had made it all possible...the wealthy land baron sitting on his Ass!

~THREE KEYS OF AN HONEST RELATIONSHIP~

Knowing when a relationship is honest and recognizing the many forms of love...

It was this question in my heart that was answered with the three keys. The three keys determine a righteous judgment of a relationship and when it is right to end a dishonest relationship.

By Guest on Friday, February 1, 2002 - 02:30 am:

This story is for MORKie Rooney as he can be very persuasive. All characters depicted are fictional and any resemblance to any living individual is coincidental. All works of ~MstreeMoments~ are limited editions, not for the general public. In rare instances a story may be posted publicly but the purpose of these works is for education and charitable causes. A copy, if it is shared, is rare. The story “Ride On” has been recorded with it set to music. It has fast become a favorite of all ages, especially children. They are the most welcome audience an author could find as they are an honest and true indicator of whether a story is succesful or not.

~MstreeMoments~

Special permission has been granted by ~MstreeMoments~ to post the following story with all rights intact.

~RIDE ON~
FREE SPIRIT-Part One

Music: “Boru’s March” (Traditional/ Anonymous)
Celtic Renaissance by NATUREQUEST

Miceal stopped briefly to wipe the dripping sweat from his brow. He leaned upon his hay fork to rest as the work was tedious. Forking the newly dried and sweet smelling hay from the wagon was satisfying to him. He watched the newly mounded pile of hay continue to grow. It represented a feeling of security to him and the hard work was beginning to pay off as he pictured in his mind her face and thought of wanting to give her the best lifestyle that he could provide.

The sudden snorting and sound of galloping hooves snapped Miceal back to present time as he saw the beautiful white horse she was riding coming towards him at a dead run. She loved riding bareback, with only a rope tied about his neck and a loop thrown over his nose. Her face was buried in his long, flowing mane and her knees squeezed his sides tightly. A slight change of pressure guided the magnificent stallion and he needed no rein to contol him. He stood sixteen one or two and had the most unusual green eyes Miceal had ever seen in a horse. He often wondered if the stallion she called Traecho was actually a god who had been cursed to run throughout eternity as a horse because of the wild look in his eyes.

Traecho stopped alongside the wagon and Miceal reached over, pulling Tara from her horse. She was giggling and her own green eyes had a light in them that danced in an excited fashion that he had always loved. She pulled a flask of cool water from her bundle and brought out a simple fare for the two of them to eat. He drank deeply the cool water, smiled, then handed the flask back.

Miceal hopped off the wagon and lifted Tara down. Her long, chestnut brown hair had been pulled back and tied with a white ribbon that she now loosened as her hair fell free. They walked to the shade at the side of the hay mound to sit together and eat. He raised his hand in a wave at his younger brother Darby as he headed the team back for another load of hay.

“Miceal, why is it that you will not ride or handle a horse yourself?” Tara asked. He sat deep in thought a moment but could not answer her.

Music: “The Last Rose Of Summer” (Michael O’Duffy)
Irish Favorites Volume Three by RETRO MUSIC

She teasingly lifted his shirt and with her long nails raked across his gut in a clawing manner. He could not keep the serious look he had worn upon his face as the clawing was ticklish to him.

“Stop it! Tara!” She giggled again and shoved a piece of the still warm soda bread into his mouth. He could not swallow as the ticklish clawing continued and he choked once, then spit out the bread while trying to grab Tara’s hands to hold them behind her back. “There! That will teach you, my dear sweet teasing love!”

Tara closed her eyes and leaned forward kissing Miceal deeply upon his mouth. As his hands relaxed and released his hold on her hands he once again found himself laughing, as her hands had stolen quickly around him, raking her nails and tickling Miceal once again. “Teach me what?” she asked with an innocent pretense upon her face. Miceal became serious once again and her hands stopped.

“Tara, I love you...I love everything about you. I only want to please you and give you the best in life that I can.” Tara looked down a moment and then deeply gazed into Miceal’s eyes.

“Miceal?” she asked. “Do you know what I really want and what would please me very much?” He looked intently at her imploring eyes wondering what it was she wanted so much and whether he could provide it for her.

“Whatever you desire...whatever you want, Tara, I will give you every desire of your heart that I am able to,” he promised. Tara’s eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief before her next statement.

“Promise?” she asked.

“Yes!” he answered quickly and bent towards her and kissed her passionately. As he pulled his mouth from hers he saw her smiling gleefully like a playful child.

“Miceal? Will you do anything for me?” she asked again.

“Yes! Anything you want!” he answered.

“Miceal, I want you to climb behind me and ride with me upon Traecho.”

Music: “Boru’s March” (Traditional/ Anonymous)
Celtic Renaissance by NATUREQUEST

Miceal’s face whitened and he felt faint. He could not share with her why he feared horses so much. He could not share with her his nightmares as a child watching his mother partially thrown from her horse and dragged to her death in a horrible, strangling manner.

Tara studied Miceal a moment then saw the anxiety in his eyes and breathing. She would not pressure him to share why he would not ride a horse. “Never mind!” she said. “I was just teasing again anyway.” Miceal breathed a sigh of relief and once again relaxed. It was time for him to go unload more hay.

Miceal pulled Tara up and put his arm around her as they walked to the hay wagon. Traecho had grazed peacefully until he saw that she was ready to ride on once again. She embraced Miceal and kissed him lightly on his cheek then let him lift her upon Traecho. The magnificent stallion pranced then reared high in the air as she waved back at Miceal. Traecho’s front hooves hit the ground and her knees signaled him to gallop again at a full run.

Miceal watched mesmerized as her long hair blew loosely behind her. He laughed lightly to himself as he picked up her white ribbon. There was nothing so beautiful and free as her spirit and nothing could tie her back. He shoved the ribbon in his pocket and grabbed his hay fork once again.

JOYFUL UNION-Part Two

Music: “Dance De Bacio” (Lisa Franco)
Celtic Renaissance by NATUREQUEST

The best part of the day was coming home again to Tara. Miceal had washed, eaten the hearty supper she had prepared, then pulled her down in the bed with him to make love. He lifted the soft, cotton gown she always wore to bed and pulled her closely to himself. He never tired of the closeness he felt with her. She was so soft and feminine. He knew every part of her.

Lyrics “All Night Long” added by ~MstreeMoments~

Burning, yearning, wanting comfort,
In the night two lovers become one,
Untouched by all worldly sorrow,
Making love, their hearts are always one.

Finding room to share a trust,
Going on as though it never, never would be lost.
Singing hearts ne’er e’er apart,
As they love in the dark...

Memories of loving light
With the sparks in darkest night,
Like the stars of heaven shimmering,
For all we are a part,
And all that heaven will give,
As our lives we nobly live,
And like the lovers come together now,
All night long...

As we struggle with life’s lessons,
And we work along in time,
And we bind the wounds created,
And endure remarks unkind,
We will pull heavy loads,
While working everyday...
Then, we will come together here,
All night long...

And we bind the heavy wounds,
While we hold onto the dreams,
That our life is bringing to us,
Time stops, or so it seems,
We will pull heavy loads,
While loving every day...
Then we will come together here,
All night long...

Memories of loving light
With the sparks in darkest night,
Like the stars of heaven shimmering,
For all we are a part,
And all that heaven will give,
As our lives we nobly live,
And like the lovers come together now,
All night long...

As we struggle with life’s lessons,
And we work along in time,
And we bind the wounds created,
And we endure remarks unkind,
We will pull heavy loads,
While working every day...
Then we will come together here,
All night long...

Burning, yearning, wanting comfort,
In the night two lovers become one,
Untouched by all worldly sorrow,
Making love, their hearts are always one.

Finding room to share a trust,
Going on as though it never, never would be lost.
Singing hearts ne’er e’er apart,
As they love in the dark...

He could swear he always saw sparks in the dark and the room lighten though his eyes were closed as he felt her nails digging, clawing in an urgent manner. He knew, understood and hearkened to her signals as did Traecho to her gentle squeezing and slight change in pressure. He always fell asleep very happy and so completely one with Tara .

TRADGEDY-Part Three

Music: “The Quest of Culhroch” (David Arkenstone)
The Celtic Book Of Days by David Arkenstone/Windham Hill

Miceal awoke to flashes of sharp lightening and the loud peals of thunder. The last thing he remembered was sparks in the dark and the room lightening. Had the storm simply been a part of a dream that he was remembering? Then he realized the bed was empty beside him. He jumped up naked, grabbing and pulling on clothes as he looked for Tara. With a bright bolt of lightening he saw her holding onto the single rope about Traecho’s neck.

The poor beast was extremely agitated and restless from the storm and the rain poured in torrents. He had bolted from the warmth of the barn as lightening had struck by his stall igniting the hay. The flames were growing and Miceal’s heart pounded in his chest as he ran to Tara. She screamed at him above the roar of the wind and the rain, “Miceal! Please save the barn! Please put out the fire before it spreads any further!”

Miceal ran grabbing bundled burlap, dunking it in the water trough, then beating at the flames, steam hissing as the wet burlap cooled the flames. Miceal soon had the fire out and the barn was safe. He walked wearily to the door just as another bolt of lightening hit the ground by Tara and Traecho. The white stallion reared high, forgetting who held his lead, then bolted across the field with a deep canyon at its edge. Miceal was horrified as he watched helplessly...

A shrill scream pierced the air as Tara’s hand had become tangled in the rope and the frightened stallion lifted her off the ground as he reared. She spun around on the rope and it caught her neck, snapping and breaking it easily. As he bolted, he drug her limp body alongside as he ran blindly in the now darkened field and over the edge falling to his death in the deep canyon below.

Music: “Cailleach’s Whisper” (David Arkenstone)
The Celtic Book Of Days by David Arkenstone/Windham Hill


The wind quieted and the storm died suddenly. Miceal was too numb to cry or do anything. He sat frozen the remainder of the night, soaked and suffering from shock. It was not until early dawn when his brother Darby pulled up in the team and saw Miceal sitting that he realized where he was and what had happened. The tears began to trickle slowly down his cheek, then loud sobbing racked his tired body.

Darby pulled Miceal to himself and held him for a long time until Miceal could cry no more. He carried him into his house, removing the wet clothing, and placing him in his bed with many soft, woolen covers. The remaining hay would be lost , he thought, but he and Miceal had hauled most of it from the hay field. His greatest concern was to save Miceal who was near death and becoming hotter with fever.

Music: “Yearning Hearts” (David Arkenstone)
The Celtic Book Of Days by David Arkenstone/Windham Hill

Lyrics “Where Are All The Trees” added by ~MstreeMoments~

Where are all the trees?
Where are all the trees?
Giving life to me,
Oh...reaching out to me.

In our lives there is pain and strife,
In our hearts let us do what’s right,
Where are all the trees?
Tell me where they have all gone?

Sorrow fills the night,
When there is no light,
Who am I?
Where am I?
Why am I to see?
They are there for me,
Touching with their love,
Who am I?
Where am I?
Why am I to see...
The trees?

(Where are all the trees?) They’re here for me,
(Where are all the trees?) They’re helping me to see,
(Giving life to me...) They’re here for me,
Helping me to see...

In our lives there is pain and strife,
In our hearts let us do what’s right.
Where are all the trees?
Where are all the trees?
Giving life to me...
Tell me where they have all...
(Who are they?)
(Who are we?)
...all gone?
(Who are they?)
(Who are we?)

NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE-Part Four

Music: “Light Of The Water” (David Arkenstone)
The Celtic Book Of Days by David Arkenstone/Windham Hill

Several days had passed and Miceal was in and out of consciousness. When he awakened he would turn to hold Tara and be faced with an empty space where she used to lie. A single teardrop would fill his eye and he would leave consciousness again. Darby grew concerned and tried to talk to him when he opened his eyes again.

“Miceal! Miceal! It’s me...Darby!” Miceal could not speak for several moments but then reached out and took Darby’s hand. He could barely whisper to his brother but there was something he wanted to tell him. Darby strained to listen as Miceal told his story.

“I was with her! I was with her on Traecho, riding on and I want to go back!” He stopped to rest a moment and Darby wondered at Miceal wanting to go back to ride with Tara upon Traecho. Darby and neighbors had recovered Tara’s body and she had been buried after a short memorial service.

Miceal’s eyes closed again and he fell into a deep coma, breathing slight and no response with his eyes to the candle that Darby held before him. All Darby could do was wait and watch. Darby drifted off to sleep in a chair and light filled the room. Miceal easily left his body and stood at the side of his mother who had died before his eyes as a child. She was young and bouyant. She hugged Miceal and told him how much she loved him.

Miceal felt the peace but yet still felt the emptiness of being without Tara. “Mother? Where is Tara? I rode with her before.” His mother smiled and kissed his cheek.

“Miceal, you must go back! You have seen that I am fine and Tara will soon visit you again.” Miceal sighed deeply and awoke in his body with a deep breath. Had he only dreamed this? Then Darby stirred. He opened his eyes and say Miceal looking around the room.

“Miceal? Miceal?” he asked to get Miceal’s attention and pull him fully back into body. “Miceal, did you see them?” Darby asked.

Miceal asked slowly, “See whom?” Darby smiled and hugged his brother.

“Miceal, did you see mother and the others of our family?” he asked again. Miceal puzzled at this question as Darby was very much alive and had simply fallen asleep. Miceal remained silent.

Darby began to speak again, “I saw mother and many others gathered around you. I watched mother kiss you on your cheek. I heard her tell you that you must go back. I had the understanding given me that soon Tara would come for you and I was to prepare for your funeral.”

Miceal felt a stir in his heart. He still could feel the kiss on his cheek and knew he had been with his mother. He nodded at Darby but could not speak. He felt suddenly weak and chilled again. He closed his eyes and his hand was reaching for Tara at his side. He heard the familiar snorting and gallop of hooves. He looked over and saw Tara again as she rode up beside him on Traecho.

“Tara!” His heart beat rapidly as she beckoned for him. He hesitated to go with her. Music started to play as she reached out for him. He heard himself starting to sing to her,

(Music: “Ride On” by Christy Moore”)

1) True, you ride the finest horse I’ve ever seen,
Standing sixteen one or two, with eyes wild and green.
You ride the horse so well, hands light to the touch,
I could never go with you no matter how I wanted to.

CHORUS
Ride on...see you,
I could never go with you no matter how I wanted to.
Ride on...see you,
I could never go with you no matter how I wanted to.

2) When you ride into the night without a trace behind,
Run your claw along my gut one last time,
I turn to face an empty space where you used to lie,
And look for the spark that lights the night
Through the tear drop in my eye.

CHORUS
Ride on...see you,
I could never go with you no matter how I wanted to.
Ride on...see you,
I could never go with you no matter how I wanted to.


(Female Part) Lyrics added by ~MstreeMoments~

I wrap my arms about you, and pull you close
As I lie with you, our hearts are full of light
Two sparks in the night.
And you ride the horse so well,
Hands light to the touch,
And no more tear drops in your eye
As we ride throughout the night.

I ride on...with you,
You can always ride with me
Throughout the darkness of the night.
We’ll ride on, til the light,
As I run my claw along your gut,
One last time!

Darby watched Miceal’s eyes open wide and look straight ahead at someone. He was trying to mouth the words but nothing came from his mouth. Miceal smiled and his eyes had a spark of light to them that lightened the room as a single teardrop fell and he closed his eyes one last time heaving a deep sigh. Darby pulled the covers over Miceal’s eyes.

~The End~


(Written by ~Malauna Mstree~, 29 June 2001. Music added and recorded 20 July 2001)

Quote: “My heart is the instrument of the Lord...PURE and simple...I will do and speak all truth, light and knowledge.” ~Nanoo Eva~

*Note: Music included with this story remains the property of the listed Artists. Also, the lyrics of the song “Ride On” have been changed to accomodate the flow of this story.