James Qualls

A Gathering of Dreams James Qualls

Mount Taishan, China 1486 BCE

Humans have marked the tales of destiny and fate on the walls of caves since time began. But surprisingly, the first evidenced comet, Lao-Tien-Yeh ??? is not documented until 1486 BCE. By estimates today, the comet was four times brighter than the full moon. So it was not unusual that the scholars in China recorded it for posterity.

An old monk climbs Mount Tai to witness the coming star. A reunion, deemed insignificant at first, introduces the monk to what eventually becomes the tenets behind Universal Truth. Principles of life that shape the foundation of Buddhism. He won't have the chance to tell anyone, though, for an ancient force also stirs with the comet.

Taishan was the last of her kind. Awakened by the nightless day, she guards an isolated valley claimed in battle from an earlier emperor. She still has the scars. The comet has all but erased any protection provided by the cover of night. The ten tails that trailed behind were another worry. They mirrored what appeared the night the old girl was born. An omen. A prophecy. A battle. A disaster. In that scenario, no one wins. Taishan was determined to die here. Her unborn would vanish with her unless the old monk can change their destiny.

There are moments when we realize how fragile life is; how sacred the vows of compassion are. A soul becoming resplendent is hard-earned. A lifetime of serving others is the only way to get there.

It takes a thousand years for the Buddhist doctrine to be discovered again.

Hanalei Bay, Hawaii Three Days Ago...

While caring for a recently rescued kitten, an accident occurs that blurs the delicate lines between imagination and reality. Everything that has ever visited Calvin in dreams has come home. Every Grumpmuffin, Gigglemonk, Cuddlemonk, Ticklemonk, and Adamsville Fairy expect to have their say. It has been a long time since a human has been in a position to have a conversation and they intend to make the most of it. Harsh questions will be asked. Secrets will be shared. Truths will be revealed.

Calvin's childhood promise weaves through time. It collects an old man, a grandfather, a ragged old cat... Clotho is the sister to the Fates who spins the threads of life and destiny. This time she has placed a single strand to connect them all. Harsh questions will be asked. Secrets will be shared. Truths will be revealed. But, like the Chinese monk before him, Calvin won't have the chance to tell anyone. Once again, an ancient force stirs.

Although Twain, Tesla, Barrie, Warhol, The Apollo 12/Intrepid Landing Module, Perun--the Slavic God of Thunder, Some Quantum Foam, and a wee bit of lost faith all make appearances ... it may not be enough.

Comet Lao-Tien-Yeh ??? is now designated 12P/Pons-Brooks, and it is fast approaching.

Evergreen, Colorado Now

"Shhhh, it is soon to be December. Love blooms in the softer sunlight. Changing colors float along with the wisps of chimney smoke and beckon the gentler souls out into the starlight. The Magic of Elysium begins in the cool, darkened evenings in the last days of Autumn." A Persistence of Dreams