Black Moon Rising (Original)

The End Of The Affair (Cover)

Around, the world turns
Looking away while the city burns
Term after term, while hearts ache
Losing men and children, a mother’s heart breaks
And what do our children learn
You are not part of the whole but just living for living’s sake

Look around while the city burns and what do you see
Who looks like you and who looks like me
The oppressor or the oppressed
My people, this is a test
Testing our humanity, they’ve decided that we’ve failed
No place in this country they’d rather see us jailed

Looking back as the city burns
Streets filled with thwarted dreams and stolen lives
Looters and thieves, have taken from us the ability to thrive
Take it back as the flames rise
Make them hear your cries
No more hate, no more lies
We will not go unnoticed, force them to realize
That as the city burns the world burns too
In our hearts and our minds , they will see, they will respect you

The City Burns

August sat in the courtyard reflecting on what his life’s story would be. He thought about what he’d tell his grandchildren, and how the moments he was experiencing now and the space he found himself in would forever change that story. This moment of reflection was one small part of his daily routine since he’d come to the Healing Path two months ago. As he and his new community closed out the meal they’d prepared together he took some time to enjoy the beautiful trees and flowers surrounding them. 

This was perhaps the first time August, now in his mid 20s, had been outside of the city and able to breathe clean air and experience nature as the refreshing and healing place it has always been. The creeks flowed wonderfully through the site and the trees were so brilliantly moving in stillness that August was in awe every time he opened his eyes. 

Although he could leave at anytime, he stayed here to enjoy the experience but also to reset himself and reset his life’s path. His journey at the Healing Path was slated for a full six months which caused some grief at first because he would be away from his partner and their children for so much time. Of course he would be able to call and speak with them, but he’d miss the moments he shared with them, the family walks, and most notably the meals they shared with his extended family every Sunday. Luckily for August, each member of  the Healing Path community received a special healing conservator that held foods they loved and reminded them of home. Their families were also able to add foods that they’d be eating so even if August wasn’t at the family dinner he could experience it himself and share a moment and experience with his family even if it wasn’t at the exact same time. It wasn’t the same as being home but it was close enough for now. August’s healing conservator was his connection to home but was also a connection to the life he knew, the man he was before came to the healing path. 

Though he lived a relatively good life, there was a deep pain from his past that led to him causing pain in the lives of others. The individuals he harmed each had a shelf in August’s conservator, filled with their favorite foods along with the stories of who they are or who they were. Each day, August was forced to face the reality of those he had wronged while also connecting with them in a way. Once someone’s shelf was empty, it was time to schedule “The Meal”. The Meal was the key that opened new doors to humanity at the Healing Path. August would prepare a meal that he’d share with that individual, if they were willing as an offering of peace, love, and as an act of contrition. 

August had recently completed the shelf that belonged to Summer Smith. It was now time to reach out to her to make his offering of peace. Summer, who was still dealing with the fallout of what August had done, accepted and agreed to share the meal with August as part of her healing process. Using everything he learned about her from the conservator, August prepared a meal that included Gumbo which had cultural and familial significance to both of them. Summer was from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and had grown up eating her grandmother’s gumbo. Gumbo was a culinary staple in August’s family who migrated from New Orleans so this would be their point of connection. Although there was awkwardness and it was even uncomfortable for both at times, the meal was the start to the healing of both August and Summer. 

Once the meal was complete, the healing conservator moved up the next shelf to begin the process again. Days passed while August reflected on the meal. When he was ready, August pulled the conservator’s lever and began the next path on his journey to healing.

Justin Walker 30