My trip to Eagle Lake, Texas
Too Many Sucking Books
Too many books will deny their slaves the race to die in battle with the shout of victory in their ears. Otherwise you only get a cool nap in the shade and kick off with a little ah sound so they know to get you in the ground haste-wise before the public stink.
You dream maybe of Sam Houston whose own army ignored him and struck out to attack Santa Anna at San Jucinto. Old Sam yelled, “Gentlemen, I applaud your bravery but damn your manners,” as he watched the slaughter and rode his white horse five times around the battle, getting his own licks in with no choice left.
Two regiments clash by afternoon. Gluttonous killings. Mexican drummer boys stuck in the bayou mud, half-beheaded musket butts. Thus the birth of Texas, the birth of all states by mob slaughter.
For me, my own scribblings in my Life Book must end. Burn your books or hand them to other slaves who’ve lost their voices, their silence, their souls to literature, a feeble sucking religion.
- Barry Hannah, Sick Soldier at Your Door
-db-
References to killing acumen and deer field dressing were higher than average at the rehearsal dinner… giant North Carolina flag oddly accomodated…me: silent awkward honorary and all, irrational with warm Fat Tire, Shiner…long straight flat roads where you pull over to the Zebra-side if you’re slow…and multiple Saint Bernard slaughter by alligator at the actual Eagle Lake, under watch of ancient (over 500 years old) conquistador shade…a violently pleasant way to go.
