They sit on the top of a hill overlooking Bethlehem. The air is thick with frost but they are warmed by the light of a single star. Vonnegut, Hendrix and Van Gogh spin on the prayers that are being answered inside a manger down below.
” . . so there I was, watching this butterfly weave its sacred messages into thin air . . and I just wept for the miracles that happen inside the quiet . .” Vonnegut says.
“You sure have a funny way of talking,” Jimi laughs.
“And you have a funny way of wearing that suit. And old Vincent here has a funny way of painting stars. And what made us this? Believing. That’s what,”
“Yeah, but to believe . . and I mean to really believe is to know you’re gonna lose. And that’s what makes it the most beautiful thing in the world. Because you do it anyway,” Jimi says as a tear runs down his cheek.
“Being born is losing. The minute you’re born into this world, you start losing things. You lose innocence and teeth, friends and lovers and car keys and memories and recipes. But you keep waking up anyway . . .” Vonnegut says.
“And it’s called faith. Like my paintings of farmers, who worked the lands of their mothers and fathers with the intent to make miracles happen,” Van Gogh observes.
“To think, there came a day when we got too smart for our britches. It seems that progress can be a four letter word if you let it run wild on you. And that’s the sticky part of the label, really . . . the idea that we became too smart to believe in the things we could not see,” Vonnegut says.
“Well, I could have told them differently. If my music taught me anything, it was to believe in that which you cannot see . . .” Says Hendrix.
“Because in the doing, this allows you to appreciate the things you can,” Vonnegut finishes, before digging into another memory. “As a young boy, I would sit in church and try to figure out why dressing up in suits and dresses stood for piety. To me, it was the moments nobody was looking at or preaching on that provided me with the proof of His existence. To me, God was speaking inside the shine of that thick varnish. To me, he was smiling inside the perfectly tweaked stained glass windows that allowed the sun to sing a million different songs,”
“And what did he say?” Jimi asks.
“Don’t take life so seriously,” Vonnegut laughs.
“Easy to say, much more difficult to live,” Van Gogh opines.
“Ah yeah Vincent, but it’s in the trying that you find your soul. I never wrote a song that didn’t write me first. The lyrics mothered me and the melody fathered me and I must’ve created a thousand songs just to get to the one that made vinyl,” Jimi says.
The three men contemplate the mysteries tucked inside a well spent moon as the wind sings in harmony with dragonflies and plums. The ground beneath their feet is a finely stitched applique of grass and soil and water, nipping at their heels with the infinite wisdom of the ages.
“So whaddaya say, fellas? Wanna go down there and see what all the fuss is about?” Vonnegut says whilst chewing on the moon with his eyes.
“I would very much like to stay right here and figure out that constellation,” Vincent says. “But it would take me a million years to figure out its math, but for that star . . that bold and valiant thing that floats on top of the heavens . . .”
“It’s calling to you too, huh?” Jimi says.
“Ah yes, the reason for all that heavy lifting God was doing . . once upon a time,” Vonnegut says before turning to his friend. “What about you Jimi? You in?”
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Jimi smiles.
Perfect Christmas story, Pilgrim. You picked my favorite author, favorite painter, and admired musician. It doesn’t get any better than this. Peace to you, brother.
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I provided you with a Holy Trinity, eh? Coo squared is what that is!
Peace, love and Merry Christmas, John
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You did, Marc. Thanks for that.
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Thank you Boss. Merry Christmas to you and the family.
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Merry Christmas to you.
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Once again, you do the Star Trek thing by going where no man has gone before. Not only impressive writing, but damn – just to come up with the idea! Well done, sir …. and Merry Christmas to you.
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I thank you humbly and much, Frank.
It was immediate, the idea of those three together. I tossed with different people but it always came back to them. I’m glad it did and I’m very glad you liked this. 🙂
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I loved that picture…that Nazareth blue. And you know i loved Kurt so much. He had so much to say and swear, I can still hear him. I don’t have a strong belief in a traditional afterlife, but yet, I feel sparks of energy, more often than not. I can see Hicks in that cozy group making them all laugh. 🙂
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Isn’t that such a cool picture? Glad you thought so too.
I love listening to him speak to me in his writings. Just as Jimi does when he strums something into fire. And Vincent, my favorite artist, so there’s that.
I believe there is something. And Hicks would’ve been cracking them up at every turn. 🙂
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Yes, he would have been the jester of the 4. 🙂
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And a dang fine one, with his way of talking and his views on the world. Levity and brilliance, a great combination.
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It’s hard to believe when you watch him now, they’re not current. They are so old yet, at least to me, don’t seem so. It’s like the Bible, according to Hicks.
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He would’ve done a helluva job with the Bible.
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That needs a rewrite. sigh
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B,
This is exactly the writing I fell in love with. I won’t do my usual because I feel this needs nothing more. You are brilliant.
Oh, and lovely version of Silent Night (though I have my fave, I am willing to give this one a big thumbs up).
Merry Christmas, lovely man, with hugs and blessings and peace and lots and lots of my love,
Q
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Q,
And you are lovely. Be it long or short or in between, it is always a just right comment for me. And you know that. 🙂
I really got into this chica as I was perusing the aisles and vowing NOT to use O Holy Night by Mariah for the tenth year in a row, LOL.
Merry Christmas lovely. With hugs, blessings, peace, and lots and lots of my love right back.
B
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You are just as lovely and yes…I do know that. 😊
Oh thank gawd. I can’t stand Mariah! Much better choice.
MWAH!!
😘🥰😘🥰
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As long as it’s not in the Natalie Wood kinda way, 😉
You did like her O Holy Night, well . . at least you suffered through it, eh? 🙂
MUAH!!
😘🥰😘🥰
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Hah! No. Definitely not in a Natalie Wood kinda way…
Uh… No. No “O Holy NIght” thank you… but “Silent Night”…. yes 😉
MWAH!!
😘🥰😘🥰
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Hahaha! Do ya now?
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I feel pretty-ish. Howzat? 😉
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G’head, feel TOTALLY pretty! 😘
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Not nearly as pretty as you. But I am plenty ayt with that. 😘
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Aww shucks… now you’re making me blush. You have your own pretty – which I love. 😘
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Good! 😉
You so sweet too!
😘🥰😘🥰
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You like me in pink? 😉
Am I now? And here I thought I might have a spicy side…😉
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😉
Sweet? Meet spicy.
😘🥰😘🥰
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😉
And maybe a little salt, to keep it interesting ..
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😉
That it would bebe, that it would . . .
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😉
Glad you think so, dahlink… so glad…
😘🥰😘🥰
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But of course . . .
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😘🥰😘🥰
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Yes, yes . . I know you ain’t down with that Mariah. You’ve made it known a time or several, 😉
Ya mean MUAH!!
Oh bebe!
😘🥰😘🥰
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Ermmm…. sorry (not sorry)
I mean MWAH!
Oh, Babe!
😘🥰😘🥰
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Sorry . . . less? Well then, you’ve come to the right place!
Oh, I know what you mean.
MUAH!!
eeeeeeeeyyyyyyy!!!
😘🥰😘🥰
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I didn’t want to be accused of plagiarism, which is why I (not sorry) instead of (less)… yanno – though as particpant-regular, maybe I’m allowed?
I know you know.
MUWAH!!
😘🥰😘🥰
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Nevah! Your rep for thinking outside the box precedes you, so no worries.
And of COURSE you can use that tag line, like . . any time. Pfffft! Like you really have to ask. 😉
Ooooooh. I likey!
MUWAZZZHHA!!
😘🥰😘🥰
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Beauty.
I know but once once starts making assumptions… 😉
I though you just might…
MUWAZZHHA!!
😘🥰😘🥰
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ful!
No assumptions, only brilliant comment threads. 😉
You did huh?
MUWAZZHHAAA!!!
😘🥰😘🥰
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Haha!
Damn straight.😉
Uh huh!
Oooh I like this Christmas feeling…
MUUWWAAZZHHAA!
😘🥰😘😍
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You know it, 😉
Mmm Hmm!
It’s the merry in the Christmas, yanno.
MUUUWWWAAAZZZHHHAAA!!!
😘🥰😘🥰
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I do!
Mmmm hmmm!
You forgot two MM so…
MMMUUUWWWAAAZZZHHHAAA!!!
😘🥰😘🥰
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😉
We have a winnah!!!
😘🥰😘🥰
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Woot!!
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There it IS!
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😘🥰😘🥰
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Pretty genius stuff here – be back later to reflect more – whew – good stuff
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Thank you Prior. Come back anytime, Sorryless is always open. 🙂
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Creativity is the gift that keeps on giving. You have been amply blessed, like your artist friends on the hill.
Peace.
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Thank you so very much, Eilene.
Blessings, peace and love to you. 🙂
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Wisdom and insights all wrapped up in ribbons of words that have me dipping in deeper pools of thought. Thanks, Marco! Have a blessed holiday!
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Ella!!!
Thank you for reading and writing and digging it. And blessings to you and the family. 🙂
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Dear Marco,
I loved this. You do have a way with words. Magnificent rendition of Silent Night as well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
Thank you for loving this. I think the idea was just waiting for me to scoop it up and give it life.
Shalom,
Marco
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Dude. To come back from an unintended break and find this amazing piece of writing … Duuuuuuude. You brought the heavy hitters in a trinity of amazing philosophy, hope, and inspiration. I know you created this because you had the music in you, but I’m definitely hearing this song and needed for someone to play it. THANK YOU! You bring the awesomeness with Jimi, Kurt, Vince. Such a creative mind to bring these three together in an amazing story that’s worthy of vinyl, canvas, or paper. Merry Christmas!!! I hope you had a GREAT holiday with tasty food and good company. Big hugs. Sunshine and waves.
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Cali!
I was wondering where you had gotten to. I hope everything is okay on your coast.
Glad you like the song. And look, it’s from your neck of the woods at that! 😉
Gracias for that. Yeah, the idea of bringing those three together just came to me. I tried subbing them out for others, but these three made sense from the get.
Merry Christmas!!
I hope you had one as well, and I hope everything is good on your end.
Big hugs girl.
Sunshine, waves, peace and love.
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Forget O Holy Night, Marc…that’s one o-holy crap incredible piece of prose. Love the imagery, the update. Jimi was indeed a freakin’ wise man! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
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Jimi HAD to be in this. I contemplated subbing the others, but Jimi was the constant.
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They were all perfect choices!
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Thank you Monika. 🙂
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I am back amigo.
I like that even without knowing the three characters (your trinity) a reader still has much to take away.
I read Vonnegut in 89 and have seen his stuff here and there – so I was not sure how much I would get with his part of this dialogue – but as noted – you wrote in a way that let us feel these characters – and I know enough about each to appreciate so many little things –
And too takeaway:
“why dressing up in suits and dresses stood for piety. To me, it was the moments nobody was looking at or preaching on that provided me with the proof of His existence.”
And for me As a child, and later as young adult, I was wondering
“Why people in the church had to be mean and bitchy. Why churches become little country clubs and why the nicest people – kind and loving – are yogis and firefighters and Not necessarily Christians” I know the church is made with humans – but the “American” version of the Christian church might have some flaws – just wanted to add that.
Anyhow – hope your weekend is going well
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Thank you for this comment, Prior.
And yes, I always wondered about church growing up. Not about the process but rather, some of the people who attended. Even back then, I could TELL the people who were getting the right stuff out of it and the ones who were attending yet another networking club.
Happy weekend to you
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at one point we went to this very small church – for about two years – had a woman pastor – Sister Edwards = and under 50 people – maybe more – but the story to share is that “Brother Fisher” – (this was the kind of church where everyone was brother this and sister that – lol)
anyhow, he was a tall, thin old man with long black coat, suit, and formal hat – and he was always complaining that my brothers would shoot spit balls at him – hahah – oh the poor man was likely hassled from the six kids in our family.
that church experience also reminds me of Rush – the pastors’ children loved Rush music (70s) and played it loud from their little import car that was yellow.
ahhhh – memory lane
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That’s a really cool memory, Prior. 🙂
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Thanks – it was fun to share it…. ya
And sweet dreams when you hit the sack
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Thank you Prior. 🙂
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