Seeing my world in turmoil and change, I remember and visualize fallen trees in a forest nearby. Colossi, hidden from sight in tall grass—laying in deep slumber and depressions, all awaiting a special day of resurrected purpose.
After seasons of waiting, black bark; dried by sun and rain, cracked and separated to expose the soft pulp beneath. It seemed to offer itself as a sacrifice for an awaited spark that would bring new life into existence and awaken dormant giants.
Unbidden, this hint of fire came to rest on this ready tender; now springing to life with purpose, the woods glowed white-hot while flaming tentacles pierced night skies—arms reaching for stars—earthbound and marching.
Grass, dry from arid days, withered in an instant and leaned in to feed the flames, as if kneeling in supplication—precious little sacrifice for a greater good now in motion. Ashes on the ground, acrid smoke, and groaning timbers all gave testimony of surroundings being laid to waste, as winds-of-change carried the conflagration to neighboring plots, spreading embers and sparks in search of giants lying in wait for waking . . .
Excerpt from the book, “ENOUGH say their names.”
Ronald Montgomery is a St. Louis born activist, linguist, educator, musician, photographer and poet. As a world traveler, who has lived for many years in foreign lands, he often speaks of his extended family which circles the globe. He has completed several degrees, but his proudest title is “Dad.”
In his military and business careers, Ronald is an accomplished Human Relations/Leadership and Management Development trainer/facilitator and project manager. He has developed and delivered training programs for organizations such as the Department of Defense, the National Security Agency, the U.S. Military and Xerox Corporation, to name a few. His training experience has spanned more than three decades across several continents and has touched thousands of students. His focus is on helping individuals and organizations to develop personal and corporate habits respectively, that eliminate barriers to effective communications and help to establish and maintain meaningful trust-based relationships.
Ronald is an author who has written and published 13 volumes of his poetry. A central premise of his writing is that positive intentional living and developing meaningful connections to others is self-perpetuating. This process is beneficial to every aspect of society regardless of the culture. He goes a step further as he pushes the boundaries of life’s experiences to expose the connectedness of human desires for friendships, community, and loving relationships which only deepen with the acceptance of diversity. His books are available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.