Long Shadows at Noon: Reflections of an Aging Warrior

By John Marshall

Long Shadows at Noon is a short collection of poetry and prose that addresses the richness and tragedies of life. Life has its many rewards that are often overshadowed by the pace at which modern life has captured our minds, time and attention.

The shortest and darkest day of the year is the winter solstice that occurs on the 21st of December. This dark period often seems to sneak up on us with little notice or warning and we find ourselves longing for more pleasant times. Often we reflect during the deepest days of darkness on how we let another year slip through our fingertips without enjoying the recently departed summer and autumn. Life is similar. During the dark periods of our lives we often look back at happier times and long for their return. During these dark days of the solstice and of life we must remember that each new day is a little brighter and warmer. Better times are ahead and life is far too sweet not to enjoy.

Unlike other poetry books Long Shadows proceeds each poem with a short essay as to its nature and motivation for being written. Life, death, love and passion are addressed in various styles and forms. Both the simplicities and entanglements of living from a mans perspective are brought forth with an emphasis on taking a truthful and deep exploration of the soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 26, 2002
• ISBN: 9781469116501

John Marshall

Having moved to Switzerland, and qualified as a historian (Masters, Northumbria University, 2016), the author came across the story of the Savoyards in England and engaged in this important history research project. He founded an association to develop Anglo Swiss relations regarding this story, in liaison with Cadw, Château de Grandson, Yverdon and others.

Book preview

LONG

SHADOWS AT

NOON

reflections of an aging warrior

John J. Marshall

Copyright © 2001 by John J. Marshall.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in

any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission

in writing from the copyright owner.

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Xlibris Corporation

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Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

FOREWORD By James D. Nickel

Chapter 1 Casting long shadows at noon

Chapter 2 Family matters

Chapter 3 Vacations

Chapter 4 Homes

Chapter 5 More Than Coincidence

Chapter 6 Gifts

Chapter 7 Honor

Chapter 8 Far from home

Chapter 9 Time

Y2K BUGS … ME

Chapter 10 Pets

Chapter 11 Bad Drivers

Chapter 12 Coffee

Chapter 13 I Hail From

Chapter 14 Moving

Chapter 15 Please! No more of the same

Chapter 16 Random Reflections on Wine and Women

Chapter 17 Divorce

Chapter 18 Love … or not

Chapter 19 Some Things You Have to do Alone

Chapter 20 Ghosts

Chapter 21 Evil

Chapter 22 Times Have Changed Forever

Chapter 23 To Fall and then to Rise

Chapter 24 Through Darkness Comes Light

Chapter 25 When the end is near

To my family, my friends and to Oceana

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I must pass along special thanks to a few people that helped me assemble random pages thrown around my office that became this book. Without their patience this project would have never found its way into print.

My sister, Michele Orser, assisted me with editing. She really deserves huge credit for having the strength to work with her younger brother. Lieutenant Matthew Stork Clark visualized the cover and did a great job with photography. Commander David D.J. Landess thought enough of some of my work to have it engraved into a plaque and presented as a gift for a departing Commanding Officer. Captain (USN Retired) Eric Sodbuster Benson read For Those Who Fly to a rather large assembly of naval officers. Besides assisting with additional editing and writing the foreword, Jim Nickel (a true philosopher and downright patriot) kicked me around until project completion. And lastly, I must give credit to those who were persuaded into reading countless rough drafts as I searched for validation. Thanks to all.

FOREWORD

By James D. Nickel

Poetry is the breath of the soul, the whisper of the mind, and the flow of the heart, a canvas for the subtle expression of self and interpretation of feeling. Too often we rush through our lives busily pursuing the dream du ‘jour and missing the details that make life ours. Poets have the ability to transform these nuances into immutable experiences that inspire the heart, stimulate the mind, and inspire the soul.

Long Shadows at Noon is a collection of these subtle moments that invite us to examine our own life and the path we chose. From our romantic relationships in Autumn Moonlight to our family relationships in Put Your Dagger Down. And then to explore the self, through honor, service, and loss as in For Those Who Fly and He Wears Golden Wings. These reflections are bits of wisdom achieved in four decades of living and listening. Life is always a struggle and it is easy to crawl inside our various addictions and insecurities to hide from what makes us real. Now and