Now git...

     Blue Duck smiled. "I raped women and stole children and burned houses and shot men and run off horses and killed cattle and robbed who I pleased, all over your territory, ever since you been a law," he said. "And you never even had a good look at me until today. I don't reckon you would have killed me."
     "He would have killed you," Call said, annoyed by the man's insolent tone. "Or I would have, if need be."
- Larry McMurtry, Lonesome Dove


"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but give place unto wrath: for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay', saith the Lord."
- the Lord, Romans 12.19 KJV

~~~

My father raised me on a diet of the King James Bible and western movies. Those two elements were formative to the man I am. Crack open my bones one of these days and you'll find thou and begotten and the theme song from Shane; a strange marrow of mercy and justice. That's just the way it is. And as such, days like yesterday make my bones ache.

Sometimes - 'if need be' - there is a reckoning. In this world ye shall have Osamas and Blue Ducks, tribulation, that's just the way it is. But when the reckoning rises that scene must be framed by a mercy we the people mishandled Sunday night. Its alright, I believe it showed our age as a nation - still quite young. Nevertheless, even in our youth I believe we can reflect and mature for the next time...for yes, there will be a next time.

I cannot recall a single shoot-out where the prevailing aftermath was revelry. No, it was always a sigh of relief, a brief mending. My western heroes always paused in the gunsmoke of death with a knowing, a reverence for the weightier matters of justice and mercy, and also a knowing that there is none righteous, no not one. The soul of the offender was never judged, but rather his actions for damn sure. Then on the turn of a spur they walked into a temporally scrubbed dawn, a foretaste...no parades or prattle, just stepping aside so the town could get back to the essence of life - braiding a little girl's hair, planting tomatoes, cleaning the mirror in the saloon, sweeping the boardwalk, mucking out the livery stable, replacing the flowers in the cemetery, getting a haircut and a shave, maybe even axing a stump.

I pray that's what we get back to today, all of us.
Now git.
Amen.

    



  

11 comments:

  1. I think this is the best written explanation for how I have felt. Of course, I realize after reading that I too was raised on the King James and Westerns, so that might explain your ability to strike the chord in me. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Thanks, James...and thanks for stopping by.

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  3. Tammy, I sorta think there's a lot of us raised that way...it gives me hope.

    Gracias!

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  4. Great post. And waiting for you to publish your Western.

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  5. I absolutely agree! Watching the reactions of the people in front of the White House gave me the same feeling I used to get in my youth...that cringing feeling when someone you are with embarrasses you in public by acting like a moron. You pray that you are not assumed idiot by association.

    I am glad Osama is gone... I don't think he deserved any special regard as far as burial, but he's gone. Let's get on with our lives no longer having his existence on our shoulders.

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  6. I agree, John! Love this post.

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  7. Thanks, Larry...a western? now that's an idea w/merit.

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  8. Bethany, thanks for taking the time to comment...I hope you and yours are well.

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  9. Thank you, Deidre...Meredith says hello!

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  10. Well said, and I completely agree. The celebrating was hard to watch...so I didn't.

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