It may be the modern condition
to zero the reverence. In which
case, what should one respect?
Respect, being a lower order of
partial reverence. Does this mod
ernity mean that all shades of the
reverable are unendearable? This
feels too extreme for even a dis
believer in grace. In this unholy
place, there is yet room for, a ne
cessity for respecting something.
When I say respect, I do not mean
the disciplined following of some
high power's orders. That's con
fucian nonsense; not that I don't
miss you Dad. What I am talking
about is some shade of ideal, just
the penumbra, a reason for thought
and action that sustains even after
breakfast. A sort of semi-god, not
an idol, more of a toy truck. You
might not be following, to be un
derstood is a condition of grace,
not to be expected, but I am fin
ally following. It has taken all
these years, dozens by hundreds
of idioms, and more than a hand
cart full of books. Here we are,
you listening and not following
and me, following, following like
a fire under a mantle that only
warms the toy truck a little
in its place of partial honor.
Roman Ryan 