"Speaker for the Dead" (1)
By Matt Freire
So who is this guy?
He born in 1985
He sits and plays alone with legos
He loved trampoline sleep overs
He junior high
He loud mouth
He not one to back down
He gets beat down frequently
He blew air bubbles in toilet water
He knows the inside of trash cans
He cries
He Eagle Scout
He participated in many charitable events
He church goer
He rode unicycle, played piano and drew
He wondered and questioned
He had things he wished he knew
He reached high school
He experienced life
He consumed copious amounts of illegal substances
He black sheep
He troubled
He depressed
He blackens tooth on college guy’s fist
He hospitalize tall kid
He gets kicked out of school district
He deviant
He self medicated
He depressed
He skateboarded, played guitar and painted
He razor blood
He wondered if he would make it
He discovers words
He relies on spell check
He the worst speller he knows
He smoked his schooling
He felt alone
He meets a girl
He joins the army in 2004
He forgets words
He journeys off to experience more
He travels Europe
He spends two months in hospital
He loses kidney
He now runs funny
He marry
He divorce
He church no shower
He find new course
He drowns in worldly ways
He moves up and down
He has had better days
He moves to combat
He learns new experiences
Where words escape him
(1) Note: Orson Scott Card's novel "Speaker for the Dead" dealt with finding the truth of a person's life and telling that story after his or her death. I acknowledge his title, his phrase, which I use for my title. I thank him for his truth-telling concept resonating in me as the best way to memorialize someone.
Photo:
Me with Afghan child.
![[...]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cw0KlDhKsNM/Sm5xxlWQkJI/AAAAAAAAB3A/2C0t1jCEDPs/S150/matt+chinook+chopper.jpg)
![[on leave]](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cw0KlDhKsNM/SmkZh3hXBpI/AAAAAAAABzw/RzOKjc4FobE/S230/matt+may+16+2009.jpg)
For who shall speak for them when they speak no more ?
ReplyDeletehe needs to call his mom.
ReplyDeleteCall his mom? I suspect he does when he can. That he can at all is amazing to anyone older than, I don't know, 36.
ReplyDeleteYou explained an interesting evolution... discovers words (and their power and the power of expression), then forgets words (regimented perhaps non-creative Army life), and then, when experiences are at a peak words & expressions are almost out of reach.
Well, a least in theory. What you write here shows that words have re-entered your life and that you are making expressions that are moving and insightful.
I hear it is heating up over there Matt. keep your eyes open as you are clicking photos.Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteBIG LOVE
Unka
Hi Matt, your cousin Sue (cavanagh/freire) Mccune checking on your blog. I can see that as the combat escalates your blog and photos take on an new level of emotion. Keep your cool and your back covered!
ReplyDeleteHuggs to you and your pals
Sue