Heroes, Then and Now

I made the statement that, even heroes’ need heroes. We all need to have someone to look up to. They should be someone whom we can reach up to, and emulate. They must have a standard that excites us and sets the goal post high.

In the past generations, the heroes were of a high moral code, virtuous, and had amazing courage. They often were biblical figures such as King David, King Solomon, and Samson. They made mistakes; however, they overcame these mistakes by turning to good and righteousness.

Many times, people looked up to the Judges, Senators and various politicians, and were in awe in their presence. These individuals were not perfect, but they tried to do their best. When they came to your community, it was one of the highest occasions and took prominence over everything else.

When war heroes came home, they were honored and given parades with accolades of praise. It was considered an exceptional honor to have a picture taken with these heroes, and to be associated with them, for they seemed larger than life. 

Many times it was one or both parents who sons and daughters looked up to as heroes. Sons tried to be like their fathers. Daughters tried to be like their mothers. Parents were hard working and set the standards of, truthfulness, keeping your word, respecting others, working diligently, and helping others who have needs. Where the golden rule of, love your neighbor as yourself, was taken very seriously, and passed down from generation to generation.

That was then, and what do we have for heroes now? A visit by many politicians causes one to hide their women, bury their valuables and stand guard at their house until they leave. You would sooner have a visit from Genghis Khan than certain politicians. Our younger people look to sports figures, musicians and actors for heroes; however, many leave much to be desired with a lack of virtue and moral code that has had the life drained out of it. It would seem we have lost the true meaning of virtue, honor, principles, courage, and a moral standard that breathes life into a pure heart.

Heroes

When I started to write the story Archomai, I set out to write a story that adults would enjoy and find entertaining with the complicated bunny trails that ran in and out of the main story. I also endeavored to make a story that was accessible to the young reader. By that I mean easy to read, and I tried to keep the simplicity of the main theme.

When I received the edited manuscript back from the publishing company, the editor wrote his comments and stated in part, “You have written here a hero.” He was referring to the main character Jeremiah. I must confess that I never gave it a thought of creating a hero when I wrote the book, Archomai, The Prince, The Scepter, And TheShield. I took the character of Jeremiah from a real person, and that person, like Jeremiah at the beginning of the book is confined. I know now in my heart that I considered this young man a hero and that is why, subconsciously, I created a hero in the main character Jeremiah. That is a good thing, because we all need to have heroes. Even heroes need to have heroes.

I think I would like to look into heroes a little deeper the next time.

Remembering Who Done What

For the excitement of the reader, a complicated story can help. As long as it stays consistent with the theme and the characters that are telling the story. There must be a foundation point that all can draw from, and as for me, the writer of the story a place to keep the events and happenings secure. I find that a map can keep everything in its place. A quote from J.R.R. Tolkien, “If you’re going to have a complicated story, you must work to a map; otherwise you can never make a map of it afterwards.” Working with a map helps me to remember events and happenings by seeing where they happened. I visualize the setting and the surroundings of the event with my characters. I know intimately the path each character has taken through the story. I often refresh my memories by studying the map and walking each character through his part. 

Check out the map of the kingdom of Archomai.   Map link

Archomai Characters

I have set a goal of finishing the Archomai trilogy in two years. I have a good start on Archomai II. However, I found that writing a sequel is a lot harder than writing the first in the series. In the first book, I could let my mind go and chase bunny rabbits where ever they went. In the sequel, I must remember all the bunny trails and what color the bunny was at the time of the chase. What I have found is that I must live in the world of Archomai. By that I mean in my imagination I am there. I see the characters, and I see the landscape. I feel the characters pain, their joy, their heartache, and their victories. Once the characters become intimate friends with me, even the bad ones, then I remember them in detail and take joy in writing more about them. But when the series ends, then I must say good-bye and that will not be easy.

http://www.archomai.com/Characters.html 

Next time tying events and happenings to the characters.

An Old Farmer Who's Turned Author

I find myself stepping back and taking a long look at who I am, and what I have become. I am a simple old farmer who has been blessed with seeing my books published. As I meditate about farming and compare it to having my books published, I can see they are very similar. In farming you carefully prepare the soil, and then with diligence you plant your seed. You then cultivate and weed until the crop can stand on its own. Then you pray that you will have a bountiful harvest. It is amazing how the two stand so close together. Even more amazingly is how they both can feed people.

Archomai, My First Novel

Well now, after all these years(66). I have finally fulfilled my life long dream. To write a novel. It took me three years to write it and many times I did not think it was worth it. But my youngest son, Michael, kept encouraging me to finish it. Thank you Mike. He also designed the book cover, thanks again. The title of the book is, Archomai, The Prince, The Scepter and The Shield. Archomai is pronounced, ar'-khom-ahee. It is a fantasy and my imagination knows no bounds. The book is published by Tate Publishing. We have a website for the book and I hope you take a look and spread the word. the book industry is a tough one and it is not easy to sell books. Here's the website,

http://www.archomai.com/ 

Many thanks and God bless.

T. A. Cline
(The Old Farmer)

Hope’s Heart the Journey to Free

I count the days, they have given much,

The earth has spun for countless years.

I miss her smile and her loving touch, 

She left me early though I kept her with

                  my tears.                        

Oh my youth before the pain lighthearted am I,

Then the storm and its rain hovered over me.

Oh my mind it is time, time for one more try,

Once again to float on high, again to fly to Free.

Time, oh time you were once my friend,

But now you have seeped through my being.

There is no time’s companion, just the end,

I wish for the journey, again, I could be dreaming.

Oh cloud where, oh cloud come, please,

Take me once more on high.

To dance and roam thru the starry seas,

To hear the echo of my joyful cry.

I close my eyes and it starts to come,

The memory of when the cloud came to me.

And once took me on the journey from,

My bedroom to the far away land of Free.

He was at my window, hovering there,

Beckoning for me to come and see.

Opening the window I saw his smiling stare,

As he says, “Come with me to the land of Free.”

Going over the sill and on his back,

We shot off into the sky.

Rising high up in the night so black,

The cloud and I did amazingly fly.

Then says he, “Come and see,

You will always be, dreaming of Free.”

I was then a lad of ten, when it began,

Soaring high the cloud and I did fly.

 Oh says he, “What must this be,

Come see,”

With a rush and a whispered hush,

We burst into the starry sea.

We slowed our pace so I could taste,

The nectar and sweetness of outer space.

Then a voice crystal clear touched my ear,

Then says he, “Have no fear, do come near.”

“Ursa Major am I, and glad you came by,

Bend over the lip and take a dip,

From my cup refresh and sup,

Before you continue to fly.”

The cloud he waited by the rim,

While I swim he talked to him.

Climbing out on high with a joyful cry,

Away we did fly and I was dry.

There was a squeak and I took a peek,

“I am small, not very tall,” says he,

It was a little fellow floating up on high.

It was Ursa Minor with an audible sigh.

Oh sighs he, “Slow down and see,

Because I am meek my shine is weak.

But within my sight there is a light,

Holding tight while guiding men thru the night.”

I looked as we passed and gave a wave,

I liked the way he did behave.

We speed-ed up the cloud and I did fly,

Looking back I yelled very loud, “Goodbye.”

Looking ahead away we sped,

Another voice I could hear.

Coming here to my ear,

Sounding clear and very near.

“Orion am I, just come on by.”

“Oh,” says I, in a jubilant cry,

“Hello, how lovely to fly,”

Orion danced, just him and I.

The cloud says he, “we must be off to Free,”

So I climbed on board and away we soared.

Then says I, “To where do we fly,

And of this journey can you tell me why?”

Oh says he, “There is something to see,

Soon there we will be and you will see Free.”

As we traveled thru the sea,

I laughed as joy came full into me.

Suddenly it becomes day from some shinning array,

A shinning city meant to be,

By the radiantly flowing glass sea.

As we drew near without any fear,

The emerald city sparkled crystal clear.

Towards the now visible city lay in shinning array,

We swooped down, with speed we made no sound.

As we slowed I could see, someone looking back at me,

It was a she, glowing, loving, but who could it be.

The cloud just smiled,

 “Don’t you fret, and the time is not ready for you yet.”

I wanted to play, I longed to stay,

“Let’s not go,” says I, The cloud began to cry.

Alas says he, “Lovingly, we must flee,

This must not be.”

There is something there that seems so fair,

Looking back at the halos glow, love did flow.

Then says I, “Why do I cry,

Why is she apart, why is there aching in my heart?”

Then says he, “You have seen Free,

It is time to go home you and me.”

Then says I, “Tell me why,”

Silence, as the cloud and I homeward fly.

I open my old eyes as I lay in my bed,

My old weak heart still feels the joy of Free.

Then reality comes with its ugly head,

My life’s partner gone, alone, it’s just me.

 How can I continue while counting the seconds toil?

How can I lay still on this cold dark bed?

No more can I absorb a lonely life’s recoil,

While waiting for someone to say, “He’s dead.”

My heart misses a beat, I falter,

Movement by the window catches my eye.

It’s the cloud by my windows alter,

Whispering, “It’s OK, let us fly, you and I."

As I rise from my body prone,

As I seek to look through this lifeless shroud.

Dare I finally dream I am going home?

Dare I dream of a journey and a cloud?

The cloud just turned with a quiet calm,

Soothing like a healing balm.

Mounted again on high,

The cloud and I, away we fly.

Old cloud my old friend, what is just around the bend.

From the start says he, It was time for you to see,

Hope’s heart and your destiny.

Hope’s heart and the journeys end.

As we fly within the starry sea,

I ponder what is to become of me.

Suddenly in my ear, I can hear,

“Hello my old friend, this is not the end.”

“Ursa Major am I, I once dipped my cup,

Now you are all grown up,

And well you fly as you pass by.

How good of you to slow and say hi.”

“Oh cloud”, says I, “Where do we fly,

And what passes by from on high”.

Look says he, “There is a friend,

You face life’s beginning not its end.”

 Ursa Miner gives a wave that is so small,

But he looks as if he has grown so tall.

“Hello says he, you must be,

On your way to the land of Free.”

“Yes”, says I, “That is why we fly,

And is why we pass you by.”

“Good”, says he, “A joyful journey to Free,

Nice of you to slow and say hi to me.”

As we fly around the sea,

The hunter looms in front of me.

The cloud slows and Orion knows,

“It is good you to see”, says he.

We passed our friends and heard their say,

Then we came to the city of shinning array.

We landed on the very spot,

The one I have always sought.

I put my foot down upon the ground,

And slowly turned to look around.

There was someone looking back at me,

It was that she, glowing, loving here at Free.

Her face no trace as I thought about my life,

And how much in love I was with my wife.

The tears came and I began to cry,

The cloud hovered over me and gave a sigh.

Then says he, “It is your destiny,

This you see is your journey to Free.

You saw her then and love began,

It grew thru life as your wife.

And will grow thru eternity,

You have come home to the land of Free.

With that the she turns full around to me,

Her face I finally see, realizing my destiny.

For that she is She,

The one that is dearest to me.

 That old cloud turned gray and started to swell,

His eyes filled with water and raindrops fell.

His heart beat with glee, he smiled deep at me,

“Welcome my old friend”, said he,

 Welcome home to the land of Free.”

I turned to her outstretched hands reaching for me,

Again our hearts were joined, this time forever.

We will be one now and always for all eternity,

A love that grows as one that nothing can sever.

Hope’s heart is birthed in youth,

And grows with the passing of time.

Love comes with the lives of truth,

And may your journey to Free be kind.


By T. A. Cline