damnation

I am familiar with the concept of a dam. There are three of them near my home, actually. At some point or another--I have toured all of them. Been spectator to the water gushing out into the river below. Heard the lecture about the building and operation given by some guy with a beer belly and a white hard hat. Yup...I figured I was as at least as smart as the next guy on the idea of dams.

I was wrong.

While I knew about the function of dams, I had never stopped to think of how they related to the word *damnation*. That word always seemed to come somewhere in a list amongst hellfire, brimstone, gnashing and gnawing, and the like. But now--it seems to describe my perception of my personal world, and even that of the world around me. I can see now, FEEL now, why *damnation* has always been a word that evokes such fear.

Progress stopped. Completely. Totally. You've got no further to go. No hope of progression. You're...damned.

Not that I've been striking any deals with Satan or anything. I'm still pretty certain that God claims me as his own, but UUUUUGH!--why does it seem that there is no hope lately?!?! No one seems to know where to go to find a job, and those that have them are more than likely stuck in a pay freeze. I feel like I've smashed into a hundred of my own walls physically, mentally, and emotionally. The news is nothing but disasters and tragedies. Everyone just seems scared and unsure and stopped up. Of course, I am a writer and poet and perhaps spend a bit too much time with fellow poets/writers in their skinny jeans and black shirts with the sleeves razored off, with their ever sad and sadder tales to tell....but still.

I guess I write this as a mini-plea for help. I believe in good. I believe in hope. I believe in endings happier than one can think up for themselves. I don't want to lose that part of me. Won't you please take a few seconds and share a bit of happy news with me? Let's let a little water out of this dam, shall we?