The Keystone Amendment
Chapter 1: Good Vibrations
Shadows fell sideways through the boughs.
Sunlight and water and intention had, out of thin air and through time, minted the intricate bark of the immense Chincapin Oaks, Shagbark Hickories, and majestic, dark and lean Black Cherries. But the construction of Gods’ cathedral was ever ongoing, sensational, as things must be wherever there is life.
Dozens of brightly colored tents, circled a grove.
This place wasn’t always safe. But neither was anything, anymore, anyway. If it ever had been…
Night was falling, and the air was being pulled softly out from under the trees’ canopies. The tents swayed lightly in the subdued wind, as if in worship. Water continued to vent heavenwards in shiny, nearly invisible columns, pulled from the earth and encroaching sea by the many tress and grasses.
Towards the center of a clearing, a fire forced water with staccato steamy hisses out of exploding wood cells.
Circling the blaze, the one who had escaped, the eldest, gestured to all that was around him. He started with that evenings’ discourse, telling a story that had vibrated through time.
it all used to all be Mineral!
Harshly swept by blinding solar rays.
Slowly, longingly, tremendous force etched patterns…
Crunching and grinding, popping & searing.
Tectonic plates fell, raising mountains, which caught the acid rain.
The youngsters beat their drums once. The eldest continued,
And from this world of only fire & ice, the great front pushing at the edges forced us to become!
As One!
They replied in homily.
As One!
The eldest continued.
First in water then on land, each from one began and ran, through time rather than past it,
as small molecules, instilling their will…the choices made that linger still.
The plants stood first, choosing to convert the pain of raw fusion into sugar that flew through them. They alone could bear the suns intensity, standing in meditation for months on end, moving in prayer towards the sky.
He bowed in recognition of the gift of sustenance that the plants had provided. Then, reaching straight up, mimicking their rising, he continued, a little louder.
All growing once, and growing still, appending life, creating will!
Complexified, the ancient code – a ready gift God has bestowed!
Now they, like we, are ever present, to move, to seek, to spread the present.
Moved by the wind, moved by rain, we steer and stir amidst our pain.
Remind us how, remind us where, let a trillion songs all fill the air!
He shook his outstretched arms with pure passion bellowing to the assembled crew
Here, in the shelter of each and each other – What will you choose?
To be as One!
The crowd wildly beat their drums as the air vibrated with waves of celebration as the sun fell anew behind the tips of the trees.