spinning the web between worlds

four pm, arlington national cemetery, 30 Oct 2009

Halloween today. This time yesterday, at Arlington, I was watching the literal moment where from dust we came and unto dust we shall return- and we're star dust, all from one same big bang, thirteen billion years ago, and expanding still. I felt that I was in some timeless moment there at Arlington, honoring Jake, standing among rows of white marble headstones stretching farther than the eye can see. the trees are at the height of fall color, and autumn leaves of gold and crimson were falling and swirling in the breeze around us. It was all very apropos of all hallows, on that hallowed ground. this is where we gathered and laid jacob's body away to rest. falling leaves, fallen soldiers, tears, Taps, guns salute, goodbye.




and here today is this poem. this is for the strong, delicate, shimmering web that connects me to my past, present and future. spun strong, everlasting glittering soul.

Natural History
(A Letter to Katherine, from the King Edward Hotel, Toronto)
by E.B. White


The spider, dropping down from twig,
Unwinds a thread of her devising:
A thin, premeditated rig
To use in rising.

And all the journey down through space,
In cool descent, and loyal-hearted,
She builds a ladder to the place
From which she started.

Thus I, gone forth, as spiders do,
In spider's web a truth discerning,
Attach one silken strand to you
For my returning.