3 days past-
I woke up early this morning, from a dream. My Grammy, is telling me to walk in beauty, be who I am, stop searching for G_D, she is not lost. Stuff like that. Of course, I am not one to let things go. Her words have been on my mind all day. I suppose it is a gift to have a spirit talk to you. Dreams or not. Who am I to say? I am another year older today, and the familiars are starting to fade away. I know they know who I am, and where I live, I suppose it is time I knew the same!
I wondered if you would know me if I just spoke aloud, came beyond this mask into view. Brought down all the verbiage of how I know how, and just mouthed words from me to you. I read upon a time that G_D is a verb, and then I saw that was not true. I have found you cannot conceptualize the ideas of all we are, and factionalize it into truth. I do not think you will find me a poster child for the better and the wise, but still between the lines, I think you will understand. What is good about me, rest from somewhere deep inside, not instilled there by G-D or man.
This day is so uncommon, that it strikes me as surreal, surrounded by an empty thought reprieve. It could be that this is just a gift from G_D to such a fallen man, or may be a blessing on my birthday. So here, I stand just mouthing words, and trying to take a stand, to know what is real, or just perceived. The spot I am staring at, lies just up ahead, it falls into the open skies beyond a holy belief. And…
Just beyond the Seraphim, the chorus of tumbled stars, just a point a little higher than the body that we are. Over in a cradle by the ending of how far? Comes the light of G_D that reflects my dry, dry bones. The spirit to which to aspire, I have come this far.
Perhaps it dose me better to speak from this view, to recognize a pattern of what is not new. To believe that once again you hold me just above the stars, no matter what my age perhaps I move as they are. At fifty-seven, I cannot conceptualize the ideas of all I am, and factionalize it into truth. That is the truth, yes, yes, that is the truth! – 011.06.2017 – דָּנִיֵּאל
Daniel Swearingen 
Great wording, deep prose, and Happy belated Birthday!
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Deeply moving, a seeker come home!
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There are so many moving parts to this Daniel, all coming together to one truth. I found this to complex, but at the same time the underlying meaning of sitting still GD is not lost, it was simple really. Uplifting! ❤
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Daniel, I sensed your inner Rilke coming out in Fifty-7, this was a very deep piece with a serene feel to it. “Happy Birthday”.
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Dear Daniel, I was terribly delinquent in getting around to wishing you the happiest of birthdays this year, I had the date marked on my birthday calendar from last year, so there is no excuse. I am hoping it was one of the best days for you and that the celebration continues on! As to “Fifty-7”, I found it to be one of the best birthday post you have ever written, victorious in message and serene, accepting life and its outcome, and the nature of your faith. It was beautiful. With all my love and best wishes for you and your lovely family for this coming year, Ruby ❤ ❤ ❤
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Happy Birthday, this was wonderfully written! 🙂
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Your words are soothing, reminding me that as age is unstoppable, so is God. Thank you Daniel for reminding me, and Happy belated birthday. ❤
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This was beautiful. Happy Birthday! ❤
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“Fifty-7” is a true baring of the soul Daniel, a witness of the celebration of being at peace with your creator, and on your birthday! BTW, Happy Birthday! ❤ 🙂
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Daniel your writing is captivating, sometimes surreal, sometimes so concrete I can touch it. Much of the time your prose reminds me of our Romanian poet Mircea Cărtărescu leading a journey throughout a surreal life to reach an absolute. Happy Birthday.
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“Mazel tov” dear Daniel, I suppose belated is better than never. “Fifty-7” is everything the celebration of another year of life should be. “Completeness”. I gained much from it. Wishing you the best in your fifty seventh year! ❤
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Having arrived at the fine ripe age of fifty-seven myself most recently, I loved this piece. So much in realizing at some time in your forties that your life is half over, and beginning the frantic search for meaning on the down side. Your writing provides great insight to what this side should look like, and it is not at all down, rather found it seems. Thank you.
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A stoic piece written with a simplistic honest, and somewhat triumphant tone Daniel. I myself have just passed the fifty mark so I am on my way, and I must say I hope to do it as well as you have managed. Well written. Happy Birthday my friend! 🙂
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This is well done Daniel, as they all are my friend. Growing old is not for the weak at heart. I want to be on your side of things when I’m fifty-seven. 😉 Happy Birthday!
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“Fifty-7” was a great ode to your birthday Daniel, and the spiritual implications were fantastic. Your saying I have arrived, let the celebration begin. I loved the music you chose as well. You always seem to blend in just the right song. “Happy Birthday”! 🙂
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Beautiful writing, each word carried its weight in meaning! Happy belated Birthday! ❤
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One of your finest Daniel, and there have been many, but being nearly ten years your senior, I can still grasp the beautiful intent in what you have written. Thank you from all of us who continue to have looked for what is not lost! “Happy Birthday”
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Happy Birthday, Daniel!
Well, you’ll. never catch up to me! Time to put on a painted gown, and show the world! I mean that figuratively, although I did it literally.
“and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make”
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“Fifty-7” caught me by pleasant surprise, I enjoy all your work, but there was something about this piece that spoke of the real you. In much of your writing you are in first person form but I read glimpses of other stories and pictures, all well done. This was simply you, at peace. Well done Daniel, and the happiest of belated birthday wishes from me to you. ❤
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Daniel if I play hockey as well as you write when I am fifty-seven all will be well in my world sir. This was worth a triple read this evening!
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Happy belated Birthday Daniel, I loved this! ❤
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Daniel, I am always moved by your personal thoughts, but “Fifty-7” brought me to a wonderful stop, to contemplate my own vision and search for Hashem. The great “I AM” is not lost as your “Grammy” so wonderfully spelled out to you in your vision. Happy Birthday my brother, and many happy, blessed years to come. Shalom, your brother Den!
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Happy belated Birthday Daniel, “Fifty-7” was wonderful, eternal and no matter what age it should apply. Wishing you many more years of happy birthdays and writing! ❤ ❤ ❤
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I am a few years older than you Daniel, but never too old to learn, as I have done many times from what you write. Having confidence in standing with your creator is a wonderful peace, looking in the mirror and see your maker’s presence is a marvel. You come from good stock my young friend. I thank you for this piece it was of great comfort to me.
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I love the way you started Fifty-7 with a dream, it all flowed, and each time I have read through it, I gain a little something extra. I love the song you put with it as well.
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I believe anything of a complementary nature I might say has already been said in this forum about your writing Daniel. This was well worth the read! Happy belated Birthday my friend!
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The happiest of belated birthdays to you Daniel, and many more to come. Fifty-7 appears to have been a fantastic birthday gift, and your readers are so fortunate to have been able to share in it. 🙂
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Happy Birthday, Daniel. A beautiful piece, my friend! jen
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Beautiful as always Daniel, Happy belated Birthday! ❤
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Daniel, a fine written work as always, we are the same age now at least for the next two months. 😉 Happy belated Birthday!
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First time commenter, your writing is fascinating, your use of language mysterious and captivating. I have enjoyed much of what I have read, including fifty-7. I am looking forward to more of your work in the future.
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