An old adage advises that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." But is the road to heaven much different?
Good intentions are the times when the flags fly and the bands play and there are parades and confetti. Good intentions envision a revised and improved future. The applause, whether public or private, can be deafening. Good intentions are filled with "yes." Good intentions inspire ... and then ... and then ... and then....
In the song "Blackbird," folk singer Gordon Bok dons the mantle of an unrepentant rascal who observes,
My life's a tale that I don't tellAnd isn't that the way of heaven and hell? Inspiration may wine and dine the joys of heaven. Desperation may paper the walls of hell. Joyous promises of inspiration may devolve into a contrived and controlling cynicism, but whose business is this? Who made this heaven or this hell? Who brought me here? Who created this moment when "now" and "then" lose their footing and dissolve?
I did my worst and I did it well
I'll never get to heaven but I stayed out in hell
And still I'm on my way
Yes, it may inspire some full-throated cussing.
But there is also the opportunity to sing.
.
Pot holes, all roads, nothin' but pot holes. We paint the terrain with our feeble human understandings and call it a road. Be good to your mule, he's not so easily fooled by our nonsense.
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