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.

Boy Gilbert has pneumonia, tuberculosis test ordered, funds insufficient

At 09:03 a.m. I received six cell phone messages. Mel was the author, evidently, but he was using Jester's phone. Each note was incomplete if taken singly but I reconstituted them into three paragraphs.

Mel (29/03/2007 13:44:48): Note: X-ray result, der are reticular densities in d left paracardiac and right lower lobe. Nodulohazed densities are seen in d hilar area. Heart is not enlarged. Diaphragm and costophrenic sulci are intact. Bony thorax is unremarkable.

Mel (29/03/2007 13:48:43): And today we need to go to Doctora T to bring d x-ray result bcoz we can't understand, d words is deep. After [consultation] Doctora T [will] explain d x-ray result! Our financial for Gilbert is too low, not enough. Love.

Mel (29/03/200717:45:05): Bern Gilbert need to inject (tuberculin test) for d observation, 6 months supply of medicines, doctor said, Gilbert need. D doctor['s] diagnosis is pneumonia. Saturday back again to d hospital for tuberculin test, but we need money for d injection. I hope you [are] not getting mad for reading dis. Bcoz we need help again! Love.

Bern (10:34:15): Mel and Jester thanks for x-ray results and info[rmation]. It seems Gilbert has pneumonia, may need tablets for 6 months to prevent TB. Dr can explain reticular densities.

Bern (10:36:01): Dr suspected Tina might have TB, started her on tablets (usually taken for 6 months or more) but decided later, no need - test results OK, I think.

Bern (10:42:11): Hi Tina, Mel-Jester texted x-ray result, looks like Gilbert has pneumonia, test and 6 months of medication for TB needed. TB once suspected for you. Your opinion?

Bern (10:48:54): Tina if I remember correctly, you started on isoniazid but discontinued. If it's prescribed for Gilbert, any chance he can start by using what you have left?

Filipino government health funding grossly inadequate

On 3 February 2006 a Filipino blogger known as Obi Macapuno drew attention to the gross inadequacy of government funding for public hospitals in the Philippines. I take the liberty of quoting, below, excerpts from three of his paragraphs:

I am aware that health care and medicine prices are currently a hitch on the local social welfare concerns. Pero, naman! I didn't realize it is "THIS" huge a problem, na pala. I mean, I grew up on a military clan. . . . I was born on a military hospital, been operated on a military medical facility, checked by military dentists, and heck even circumcised by a soldier!

But a couple of days ago, my sis decided to stage her birth on a private hospital. Can't blame her though . . . a public hospital is still a public hospital, and don't be a hypocrite to disagree with me that it really is worrying to consult on one especially when it's the life of your children or a relative that is being dealt upon. . . .

Which brings me to my point . . . why can't most of us have that confidence on publicly-funded clinics? I, alone, can produce a long list of reasons, but one of the most upsetting items in it is the fact that most of our public hospitals are incapable to compete with the private ones. It may come to us as "normal" just because private medical bodies have the monetary strength to fund but I tell you, IT IS NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. The government has the almighty power to recruit the best medical team and provide the most advanced of medical facilities in the country that will leave private hospitals cower[ing] in comparison. BUT sadly, our government (that our heroes have sacrificed their lives to create) have more important matters to attend to . . .

Source: http://boyhalohalo.blogspot.com/2006/02/am-radio-sa-umaga.html