I am not the man I was

Spirit, why are we in a church yard in the middle of the night? There are drug dealers about. We could get mugged.

Caw!

You're pointing to a grave stone. ... The grave of the man half-eaten by his cats and whose possessions were sold off by theives?

Caw!

Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point, answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that will be, or are they shadows of things that may be, only?

Caw!

Perhaps you could clarify that caw? ... Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead. But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. You know, like an alternate timeline. Say it is thus with what you show me.

Caw!

OK. Whatever. I'll read it. ... "ATOWN LIKER." Ah, freakin hell! Am I that man who lay upon the bed?

Caw!

No, Spirit! Oh no, no! I can't believe I was killed twice by a non-alcoholic beer!

Caw!


Spirit! Hear me. I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse. I'm sorry I don't know why I just said intercourse. ... Why show me this, if I am past all hope? Good Spirit. Your nature intercedes for me, and pities me. Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life. I swear I shall never again drink a non-alcoholic beer, or even a light beer.

Caw!

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will drink Celebration Ale. Or Rudel Elf. I will stop saying 'intercourse.' I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!