Sick, worried woman seeks information

Tina (21:58:22): Gud evening Bern, how are you? I'm worried and thinking about you? I hope you're OK? Please kept in touch. Take care. [Text message received at 22:28:37.]

Venomous snakes and snakebite treatment in Asia

by Y. Sawai

Snakebite is a hazard in Asian areas. The mortality rate and morbidity rate by snakebites in these areas depend on the species and the density of venomous snakes in each area. Thus the mortality rate is higher in the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and India, where the bites by cobras, kraits and Russell's viper are frequent. On the other hand, lower rates of bite are recorded in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia, where the bites by pit viper of Agkistrodon and Trimeresurus species are predominant. The bite by the seasnakes of Hydrophiidae is also a problem among fishermen in Malaysia and Indonesia, Environment of human life, where the snakebites occur, is also another important factor. In most of the areas, modernization of the medical treatment is delayed because of shortage of specific antivenom, lack of the experts who are able to inject antivenom intravenously soon after the bite, popularization of herbal remedies, and poor mode of transportation of patients to hospital.

Source: http://rjh.folium.ru/contents/1998/1998-02.htm. Abstract of article in Russian Journal of Herpetology 1988, Vol. 5 No. 2.

One crowded hour

Sound, sound the clarion, fill the fife!
Throughout the sensual world proclaim,
One crowded hour of glorious life
Is worth an age without a name.

Thomas Osbert Mordaunt (1730-1809), The Call.

Promises to keep

These woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.

Stopping by woods on a snowy evening

What about the poem? People argue about what it means. Some critics say there is a deathwish in it, in reference to the fact that he has left the main road, is trespassing and heading toward the frozen lake.

Few readers seem to know that Frost himself commented about the poem. It had a very private and personal meaning. Frost had gone to town to buy toys for his children. But what he found was too expensive and other shops were closed. He was out of work and very poor. It was Christmas Eve and his children were eagerly hoping for presents from Santa. He is coming back with an empty wagon. The night has gotten late and he takes a shortcut. It is the darkest evening of the year, not only because of the calendar, but because of his great sadness. He stops for a moment with his horse as his one companion, although the poor animal cannot understand what is wrong. The man’s promises to keep are with his family. No matter how bad he feels, he cannot die and he cannot run away. They are depending upon him.

Father Joe: Miles to Go Before I Sleep. Excerpt. Father Joe is a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC.

The twisting lane

Those who pursue me taking a twisting lane
To find themselves immediately alone
With savage water or unfeeling stone,
In labrynths where they must entertain
Confusion, cripples, tigers, thunder, pain.

W.H. Auden: For the Time Being.

Source: Tony Parker, The Twisting Lane: some sex offenders. London: Panther Modern Society edn, 1970 (epigraph).

Snakebite survivor without food waits for help

Mel [on Jester's phone] (13:01:20): Gud after nun Bern, I'm waiting your touch yesterday but you didn't text me! Bern I hope u can help me, bcoz ryt now Bern I really don't have food. Love Mel.

Mel (15:48:11): Bern how you doing? I hope Alice is OK now, I'm alone right now. Jester and other dey are in Lagaslas except me. Bcoz I have phobia der! Its very hot in here [at home in a roughly built little house with a galvanized iron roof]. Love Mel.

April 04

Mel (00:00:32): Gud pm Bern, I'm still with Jester now, I asked him if he receiving text from you but unlucky! I'm still waiting. I'm going home now, gud nyt to you, regards to Alice. LOVE.

Bern (11:56:08 GMT+10): Hi Jester & Mel. V sorry, Alice's grand daughter Samantha is here, they want me to drive them to cheap lunch at hotel then to airport, Sam's leaving! "Mel & Jester will receive your messages on a mobile device."

Mel & Jester (11:58:59): Gud morning to you Bern, OK, take care, I will go to Mel's house now. He is waiting for your text.

Bern (12:02:51): Must rush, only 1 1/4 hour 2 drive, eat, drive to airport! When I come home I'll text you again. Thanks very much Jester! 12:03:09.

17:03:02. Clock adjusted from 17:01:40. Previously set on 15:12 Errors may be evident in some times shown above.