Ghost by Jeffrey Snodgrass

"I really don't think there's much mystery in what you're saying. In fact, I don't believe a word coming out of your mouth. And why should I? Imagine, spirits. What kind of nonsense is that? Really, it's all too much."

"Look, I told you, I took a picture and there was an apparition in it. Why would I make something like that up?"

"Why wouldn't you? Really, it's all too much."

"You already said that."

"Well, it's true. What did the apparition look like?"

"A smiling man."

"And what leads you to believe that he was an apparition?"

"He's standing about 6 inches off the ground and his arms fade into darkness."

"What were you taking a picture of?"

"My wife and her cousins sitting beside a campfire and here's this curious fellow watching them. I posted the picture on the Internet, just in case you don't believe me; I can give you the URL."

"That won't be necessary."

A Good Man

A good man,

tells the truth,

even if it makes him look bad.

A good man,

knows that treating people the way he wants to be treated,

is the only way to go.

A good man,

Protects,

Provides,

and cares for those he loves.

A good man,

Does not cheat on his wife,

or his girlfriend,

even when the opportunity is right in front of him.

A good man,

does not use women,

or abuse women,

or treat them as objects to be traded and misused.

A good man,

does not take advantage of people he oversees.

He is careful to use the words “I love you,” very prudently.

knowing that love is not just a feeling,

but a choice,

that requires sacrifice.

A good man is careful to fulfill all his obligations.

A good man is careful not to burn bridges,

Someday he may need to cross them.

A good man,

Is trustworthy,

and noble.

He uses his words wisely.

He thinks of others,

not just himself.

A good man,

goes after what he desires in life,

even if he’s scared.

A good man,

Does not allow his ego,

or his attractions to dictate his life.

He honors and values every person.

A good man,

listens,

observes,

and seeks a challenge in every area of his life.

He seeks to grow,

and grow others as well.

A good man,

knows how to be a friend,

as well as a lover.

A good man,

does not hide,

but confronts life head on,

picking his battles wisely.

He allows wisdom to guide his steps.

A good man,

does not let the sun go down on his anger.

A good man honors God,

and upholds the highest of integrity.

Unfortunately, a good man is hard to find,

However, there are quite a few of them hanging around,

Who daily continue to inspire, challenge and enlarge the lives of everyone they meet....

Written by Erin Lamb

28 October 2005

From _Oculus_

How do you like it now, now that we have you cornered? Things are about to get strange. Are you ready? I am asking you a question. Which end is up? Down is no longer an out. This whole mess has turned topsy-turvey. I can see spiders on the bathroom ceiling. And cobwebs. They catch the roaches. This is no environment for raising children, none at all. Everything that I have told you is true, believe it or not. I am breaking into new territory and my mind is unstable but you understand. I know you do so don't play dumb with me now. I've got a thing that you don't understand, a shiny object that I keep all to myself. I'm poor so shiny objects make me feel clean. I wear it around my neck and the string chafes against a mole. I am easily misunderstood. You yourself do not understand me nor should you try. What I am is complicated, complex, beyond your wildest fathomings. I am expansive to the utmost degree and as miniscule as a pea. Come see for yourself. I am large within a tiny box. You think you would know me but the reality is something completely different. We are a disinfranchised nation, one at rest. We have every reason to assume some background knowledge. Most people are quite literate, they just pretend to be stupid. It's a strategy that works. I'm writing the way I talk. Do you feel the honesty? I would claim to be sincere but then you might doubt me. I am a living anachronism, multifaceted and complex. But I've already said as much.