I want to amend what I said about the second song being a step back artistically.

On repeated listenings to both, it’s not.

They’re both solid A-minus efforts from a raw beginner, and they are beautiful, and their limited genre beauty makes me truly happy in a way that even beholding cave art splashed onto the ancient rock in the exurbs of what is now Barcelona could never do.

Because I did that for myself, without waiting for someone to do Something Nice for me.

To the tune of the high five figures, like they swore they could and would.

In family conversation over the filet of mignon, I angrily accused the motherwoman of only loving conditionally, ever.

And that is sooth.

But the whole sooth is that I am sometimes guilty of the very same crime, and thus, intermittently, am a hypocrite.

Fortunately, I’ve carved out a place here where I can confess such sins, and place my songs in a place where they can be heard, and I have cared for myself unconditionally enough to still be able to say smooth and bitter sooth, and out loud. By the blessing, I get braver with each passing month.

Good for you, V.

Now let’s not wallow in it, V.

That was a couple of yesterdays ago.

Every day above ground must be lived on its own terms and judged fairly on those terms.

Pray the Lion/y into waking through the course of a walking meditation.

There is no destination. We journey well, or we do not, and that is all.