Rock Bottom Hope

In addition to hearing about my own perspectives and experiences, I thought that some of my readers might enjoy hearing the words of some of the clients and volunteers here at the men’s center. Over the months to come, I plan to include passages and thoughts submitted by others whom I work with in the center.

One of my favorite things about working at SVDP is participating in the Friday morning meetings with the Seldom Seen acting company. As you may know, the men who participate in the acting company write, produce, and perform a complete play each year. These productions are based upon the actual experiences of the creators. These Friday meetings have provided me with an incredible opportunity to hear their stories and get to know them better.

This week, I thought I would include a passage that was written for Rock Bottom Hope by a very talented woman named Soleil (who will also perform it on stage). You can think of this as a sneak preview of our still-in-production play, Rock Bottom Hope.

Hold on a minute, Please hear me now, my brother. Maybe you’re right. Maybe that’s all there is to life. We act foolish, then we die. Maybe none of us is being real – ever. Maybe I do go through life wearing one mask, then another. Maybe I do. But if I wear a mask, there’s a reason for it. A reason based in my reality. If I hide sometime from you, that doesn’t mean I have no reason for hope. I will try to explain.

This is the story of a dove & its song. Mourning songs heard best in those in-between spaces where the veils part-between dusk & dawn, birth & death, natural & supernatural…

This story is about one of those moments:

Mom’s got recovery–breakdown blues. She’s off her meds and swinging moods like Tarzan swings between trees. There’s been a cout d’etat, a shock and awe campaign to the government of love. Peace has been under arrest for more than 2 weeks now. Happiness has been on lock-down & sanity a prisoner of war is under interrogation & harsh investigation-waiting in the hole to stand trial. But we, freedom fighters, prayer warriors have managed to smuggle in hope and moments of laughter like contraband.

I’d rather have rock bottom hope than soggy bottom blues…

She has seized the distribution of food, suspended transportation privileges, and is threatening confiscation & on critical commodities like toilet paper. There’s an embargo on the free trade of ideas, sanctions for difference of opinions & all communications are under surveillance

I want to abandon this post and go AWOL. I was going to abandon this post and go AWOL – absent without leave… But then I heard my Master’s voice as He lead me. Adonai told me to stand in this in-between space between heaven & hell… dusk and dawn. Tend His business until this war is won.

I am just a dove

This is the last time I sing this song

My hope is anchored in what I can’t see

My hope is in manna hidden from me

Rather have rock bottom hope than soggy bottom blues…

I am just a dove

This is the last time I sing this old song

My hope is anchored in what I can’t see

My hope is in manna hidden for me

I am just a dove

This is the last time I sing this old, old song

My hope is anchored in what I can’t see

My hope is in manna hidden for me

Rather have rock bottom hope than soggy bottom blues…

I say, I’d rather have rock bottom hope than soggy bottom blues…

This is where I am going to throw in my shameless plug for the Seldom Seen acting company:

If you are interested in learning more about the company and how you can get a ticket to their December 9^th performance at the Oakland museum’s James Moore Theatre, please visit their website:

http://www.svdp-alameda.org/News/SelSeenActRBH.asp