I just got back from visiting R at Vassar, and seeing Jeph Jacques and assorted other webcomic artists playing Pictionary at NonCon. It was unfortunately the only event there I managed to get to, but it definitely sufficed! There was enough geekery being shouted out to almost drown out the very amusing panel, which kind of sucked, since the geekery was not particularly clever or funny. So she and I left early. But far be it from me to say I didn’t enjoy it. I’m still amused by how powerfully lame those vociferous dweebs were. 2 things. 1st, don’t be one those guys who think they’re just as funny as the main event: you’re not. 2nd, I kind of love you anyway if you are, because you’re the happy definition of ignorance equating bliss, and I commend you wholly on it, because it leaves you happy and the rest of us amused! Most importantly, I saw my first catgirl. In short, my impression of NonCon (and the Con scene in general) was that it was pretty awesome, an experience to be enjoyed both fully for itself, and through the filter of an informed, but gentle, sense of irony.
The rest of night was consumed by meeting R’s truly cool friends and party hopping. It’s very pretty up there, and it was a cool change to be walking around the woods from party to party rather than around New Haven. I had an awesome time, and it was great to see R and get to spend time with her.
But, coming back I felt pretty sad and worn out, (and I remain so) so I’m going to post this poem I wrote a couple weeks ago. It’s after the jump.
What I Will Say to Those I Love
I.
Around me come the wraiths of my fathers,
unrepentant, and draw from me to view my own darkness,
and let hang, in the vision, before my eyes.
We have forgotten the fear of blood,
but I have seen the vulture’s beak tearing at the liver,
until it flew cawing away into the blackness behind the eye.
This is the place before death.
II.
Look, there beyond the window: as I travel through
Connecticut in early winter, I watch the sun go down,
closing its eye over exultant steeple and darkened houses,
their empty windows hungry ravens’ eyes,
and their boards like gray rail ties.
A black aurora has settled below the horizon,
in the woods, and violet twilight rides the train
with me. I have seen many beautiful things,
and loved, and been loved.
******************
As ever, anything I post here is not to be used without my permission, etc…
Feeling sappy tonight, so I’m sending my love out to everyone. Goodnight.
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