Whenever I stop to think, or even when on the run, I ponder what brings to me to this spot I am on.

My mind races to distinquish courses I must go, what paths to follow, what obstacles must be forged or bridges crossed, which of these are real and which not. At times I think I have it all in hand and within my grasp, then all slips way, diverted by those things unseen and buried deep within.

What brings a man to where he is, what are the forces changing the winds of life's courses to blow in one direction and then another, shifting inexplicably, leaving us bewildered, amazed and at times quite dazed.

These winds of change do take us to places not thought upon nor expected to be found. Some spaces dropped in upon bring discoveries, opening clear where shadows may have previously played, the light turned on, the paths unlcuttered and quite clear, sights hampered or restrain-ed by only our limiting thoughts, we can go on.

On other times man is brought to creative's spot, to mold, shape, paint or write, making things great or profound, capturing the moment, we linger not long, to the challenge one can choose, but not to arise would indeed be a wasteful and careless reply.

Where sorrows might touch down, placing masks of sadness and looking glass of grey, casting shadows over life's way, one can not ignore painful remorse sweeping over spirit spilling on to soul. Embracing, touching, feeling and tasting the salt of sadness comes before release sought arrives to soothe the anguished soul, then we are free to carry on.

Yes, to think upon these and other most solemn matters of man's walk through earthly space brings much to ponder, to reach in quandary, to seek a juncture, finding departures catching rides to further places, the journey then begins anew.

Such have I been on, these past eighteen months and more, the ups the downs, the pleasurable and the painful, none to be denied, finding outlet in words, those sometimes rambling, scrambling and confusing combinations coerced from within, expressing thoughts mixed in jumbled mass with flooded emotions, these all obscuring clear sights to think upon.

But the time has come in measured, careful steps, to pick up, find the winds of courage blowing strong, setting aside regrets, missteps and passions long now gone, capturing those rides found, then to move on.

Yes, through the words and expressions to follow, the thoughts sought I've found to think upon...now, I am traveling on!

T. Condon, Oct.'98