Safe
11/8/10
Adam Gentry
When I was young safety came from
ignorance and an almost religious faith that mom and dad would protect me from
anything bad. As time passed I became aware of time, of the idea that I was
being prepared to take care of myself, but, again, what kept me safe was blind
faith that when the time came I would be ready. Then I graduated from college,
and there were no more landmarks, except those that would not be passed until I
was already “ready”.
Now safety is tenuous, and
circumstantial, safe for now. Now I do everything I can, and do not rest easy
in my safety, but rest weary in the knowledge that I’ve done all I can. What is
safety to me? I don’t know exactly. Maybe safety is feeling the boat glide
through the water, knowing you are getting closer to land, even if you can’t
say how far it is. I think the strongest fear, the most essential safety, is a
companion. One other to lean on and turn to…
They may keep their distance, but they’re always in earshot, just out of
sight, if you need them. And they always will be.
