By R25288 ( c ) 2006-2007
Chapter Thirty-Three
December, 2004
“It is not the strongest of the species nor the most intelligent, but the most responsive to change that survives.”
Charles Darwin
Livin’ On The Edge
By Aerosmith
There’s something wrong with the world today
I don’t know what it is
Something’s wrong with our eyes
We’re seeing things in a different way
And God knows it ain’t His
It sure ain’t no surprise
We’re livin’ on the edge
There’s something wrong with the world today
The light bulb’s getting dim
There’s a melt down in the sky
If you can judge a wise man
By the color of his skin
Then mister you’re a better man than I
chorus: We’re livin’ on the edge
You can’t help yourself from fallin’
Livin’ on the edge
You can’t help yourself at all
Livin’ on the edge
You can’t help yourself from fallin’
Livin’ on the edge
Tell me what you think about your situation
Complication-aggravation
Is getting to you
If chicken little tells you that the sky is fallin’
And even if it wasn’t would you still come crawlin’
Back again?
I think you would my friend
Again & again & again & again & again
Tell me what you think about your situation
Complication-aggravation
Is getting to you
If chicken little tells you that the sky is fallin’
And even if it wasn’t would you still come crawlin’
Back again?
I think you would my friend
Again & again & again & again & again
Something right with the world today
And everybody knows its wrong
But we can tell Oem no or let it go
But I would rather be hanging on
Livin’ on the edge
Livin’ on the edge
Livin’ on the edge
Yeah, yeah, yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Livin’ on the edge
You can’t help yourself from fallin’
You can’t help yourself at all
Livin’ on the edge
You can’t stop yourself from fallin’
Livin’ on the edge
You can’t help yourself
You can’t help yourself
Livin’ on the edge
You can’t help yourself at all
You can’t help yourself
Livin’ on the edge
You can’t stop yourself from fallin’
Livin’ on the edge
They sent me back to isolation from December 3, 2004, until December 14, 2004, because I refused to sign my name. Yes, Virginia, in our prisons in America, in the beginning of the 21st century, refusing to sign your name to false statements is grounds for isolation; they call it refusal to follow orders. So if they tell you to suck their dick, or kill another inmate, or sign your name, you’d better do it, or they’ll put you in isolation, and you may never come out, until you’re in a body bag.
On December 5th, 2004, I wrote some verses to J.D.’s mom, and mailed it to her after I got out, with his permission, to try to comfort her in the loss of her mother:
Proverbs 18:24
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
Phillippians 4:11
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 1622
“And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”
Galatians 6:10
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
I Corinthians 15:10
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but by the grace of God which was with me.”
Ecclesiastes 3:18
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born and a time to die…A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
Eccesiastes 4:9-15
“Two are better than one…again, if two lie together, then they have heat…For out of prison he cometh to reign…I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall up in his stead.”
Job 30:29-30
“I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.”
Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me…to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.”
I John 4:7
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”
2 Timothy 4;7
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
2 Corinthians 13:11-14
“Finally, brethern, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”
On December 6th, 2004, from isolation, I penned these words for my J.D.:
May All The Saints Protect You
by Christopher Eckhardt
(12-6-04, I2-1-20L)
for my J.D.
At this holy time of year
I’m thankful for all we share
May all the saints protect you from all you fear
I am what God made me
And it’s all good
A gay, old, whiteman, you see
From the suburbs, and not the hood
They call me a sissy, baby, and punk
I’m a writ writer
Cause God don’t make no junk
And for you I’m a fighter
I’m brother to the dragon
Companion of the owl
Sister to the moon and sun
Friend of unicorns and fowl
I’m the friend that’s closer than a brother
With unconditional love like your mother
Let us love one another
You’re part of me, not just some other
I knew you before you hit the womb
I was white before you were black
Choose faith and hope over gloom and doom
Follow this path and you’ll never lack
Though I cannot promise you fame, wealth, and malls
Cause I know you’re proud and not for sale
But my love for you is known in these walls
I love you for you, because you’re all male
We shared time and joy together
That noone can take
Through seasons of extreme weather
You’re alway genuine, never a fake
Don’t be troubled, don’t be afraid
I was sent to help, not to hurt
Peace I give to you, no need to trade
Carpe Diem, Seize the Day, time you assert
From a household of faith, you pray
Surrounded by chainlink fences and razorwire, too
Father, forgive them, I say
For they know not what they do
The grace of God is with you and me
So it is easy to be content today
Two is better than one, you see
For out of prison is our only way
Prison has been a blessing to me
For I met and came to know you
I’ll open prison for you with the key
A key of words and wisdom, too
Liberty is really a state of mind
For you, I have fought the good fight
It’s time to take off the chains that bind
Not for love or money, but just because it’s right
At this holy time of year
I’m thankful for all we share
May all the saints protect you from all you fear
And loving you is how I show I care
ALL MY LOVE,
Chris
As Good As I Once Was
By Toby Keith
She said, “I’ve seen you in here before.”
I said, “I’ve been here a time or two.”
She said, “Hello, my name is Bobby Jo
meet my twin sister Betty Lou
and we’re both feeling kinda wild tonight
and you’re the only cowboy in this place
and if you’re up for a rodeo
we’ll put a big Texas smile on your face.”
I said, “Girls”
(Chorus)
I ain’t as good as I once was
I got a few years on me now
but there was a time back in my prime
when I could really lay it down
and if you need some love tonight
then I might have just enough
I ain’t as good as I once was
but I’m as good once as I ever was
I still hang out with my best friend Dave
I’ve known him since we were kids at school
last night he had a shots
got in a tight spot hustlin’ a game of pool
with a couple of redneck boys
one great big bad biker man
I heard David yell across the room
“Hey buddy, how ’bout a helping hand.”
I said, “Dave,”
(Chorus)
I ain’t as good as I once was
my how the years have flown
but there was a time back in my prime
when I could really hold my own
but if you wanna fight tonight
guess those boys don’t look all that tough
I ain’t as good as I once was
but I’m as good once as I ever was
I use to be hell on wheels
back when I was younger man
now my body says, “you can’t do that boy”
but my pride says, oh, yes you can
I ain’t as good as I once was
that’s just the cold hard truth
I still throw a few back, take a little smack
when I’m feelin bullet proof
so don’t double dog dare me now
’cause I’d have to call your bluff
I ain’t as good as I once was
but I’m as good once as I ever was
maybe not as good as I once was
but I’m as good once as I ever was
“In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
Anne Frank
diary entry (1944)
(Diary of a Young Girl)
“I feel my heart break to see a nation ripped apart by its own greatest strength-its diversity.”
Melissa Etheridge
