This evening I was asked something I don't think I've ever been asked before. What was my take on imagination...
Here was my response

Imagination is creation
Its the ability to see the world in three dimensions
and a fourth
And a fifth
And the Nth
It's the ability to turn a coin over and over until you see its third side smiling and winking at you.
It's hearing the crow and realizing it's not cawing
Its singing and talking to its mate
It's waking up and knowing the colour of the sky will be different every day
It's being able to see outside the four walls, yes, but also being able to manipulate those four walls into whatever you wish.
It's being able to look at something, someone, and see a myriad representations of who they are at once...Being able to stare at a pillar and seeing it turn into a roman column or deteriorated into a slab.
It's being able to live and see and picture a world that is both a dream and reality.
It's walking both at once. Being in the worlds but not part of either.
Imagination is life.
It's the key to growth
It's the cornerstone to inventions
It's the dark matter of the universe that binds and holds those willing to seize it and ride the ride. Mold the world to their visions and risk being outcast and alone but never lonely because there are other dreamers. Others who choose life and imagination over the dull, tedious doldrums.
It doesn't just pertain to writing,music,or art.
It goes into our daily lives.
How we dress. How we prepare food. How we view ourselves. Everything.
Imagination isn't just the thing of dreams. It's the very fabric of life that keeps the human race from delving into suicidal boredom.
Imagination is life.
To imagine the impossible is the first step in living.
Without imagination, without dreams there is no life. No growth. Nothing but the caustic void of cynicism and vapid half truths.
Without imagination we stagnate and wilt. Blow away in the dust and ether forever to disappear.

So...I was going to post some deviations this evening.
Well. No luck. I started writing a dear friend that has graced me with her presence and, when I looked up, it was laaate.
Soo
In the A.M.
I suck. I know

It'll have been 15 years in August that my youngest brother was killed in a car accident. 15 years.

It just hit me this evening as to how long. A lot's happened in that time. I've hardened myself against people, been softened by the love of good women.

My family has drawn closer and fallen apart, my other brother grew to hate women then fell in love with a wonderful one.

I wonder if my youngest brother would be happy with everyone. He never met my children or my brother's. I'm curious to know what he'd think of his nieces and nephews.

I've often said that I wanted to be more like him. To love and be kinder to those around me. I don't know if I have. Wonder if he would think I've failed miserably.

15 years ago also triggered the darkness that I have drawn from to write. The black inkwell that has sustained my writing for so long.

I have been aware of the peace and love that has been growing since my wife and I split in December. But it wasn't until today that I realized that I no longer had access to that hate, that darkness I owed so much of my talent to.

I can't summon the demons like I once did. I can't delve into that black pool to retrieve the darkened shards of life that I wrote about.

Too much has changed for the better in the last few months. Too much to want to go back to that quasi cancerous way of thinking.

For those that enjoy the darkness I've put forth over the last few years, I will cycle through stories and things I have that will never see publication. I will uphold that end.

As for newer postings, though. I doubt you'll see anything dark or horrific pouring forth from my soul anytime in the near future.

myspace.com/mlovelljr

I'm also on facebook if you search my email. Mlovelljr@gmail.com

One stipulation. If you visit my page, drop me a line.

I'm headed to Dallas this weekend for Scarburough Faire and to do some camping!
Yay for relaxation and fun!