Before 2024 Ends Quotes

The Lottery by Stewart Stafford It was New York, 1984, The AIDS tsunami roared in, Friends, old overnight, no more, Breathless, I went for a check-up. A freezing winter's dawn, A solitary figure before me, What we called a drag queen, White heels trembled in the cold. "Hi, are you here to get tested?" Gum chewed, brown eyes stared. This was not my type of person, I turned heel and walked away. At month's end, a crippling flu, The grey testing centre called, Two hundred people ahead of me; A waking nightmare all too real. I gave up and turned to leave, But a familiar voice called out: "Hey, you there, come back!" I stopped and turned around. The drag queen stood there in furs, But sicker, I didn't recognise them, "Stand with me in the line, honey." "Nah, I'm fine, I'll come back again." "Support an old broad before she faints?" A voice no longer frail but pin-sharp. I got in line to impatient murmurs: "If anyone has a problem, see me!" Sylvester on boombox, graveyard choir. My pal's stage name was Carol DaRaunch, (After the Ted Bundy female survivor) Their real name was Ernesto Rodriguez. After seeing the doctor, Carol hugged me, Writing down their number on some paper, With their alias not their real name on it: "Is this the number of where you work?" "THAT is my home number to call me on. THAT'S my autograph, for when I'm famous!" "I was wrong about you, Carol," I said. "Baby, it takes time to get to know me!" A hug, shimmy, the threadbare blonde left. A silent chorus of shuffling dead men walking, Spartan results, a young man's death sentence. Real words faded rehearsal, my eyes watered. Two weeks on, I cautiously phoned up Carol. The receiver was picked up, dragging sounds, Like furniture being moved: "Is Carol there?" "That person is dead." They hung up on me. All my life's harsh judgements, dumped on Carol, Who was I to win life's lottery over a guardian angel? I still keep that old phone number forty years on, Crumpled, faded, portable guilt lives on in my wallet. © Stewart Stafford, 2024. All rights reserved.

I’m sort of … coming off a bad relationship.” “When did it end?” “Slightly before it started,” Lincoln said.

Death's Embrace - A Soliloquy by Stewart Stafford In sincere tongue, declare with heart: Art thou but a mimic, shadow of the art, Or standest thou bold, architect of the new, Crafting the morrow in thy vision true? Unburden me from this oppressive weight, I cannot bear this overwhelming force. Despair hath found its pinnacle in me, And I must peer into realms unknown, If cherished sight fails me at mine end, I shall renounce all chimeras of the light. But fall not tamely from Life’s precipice, Death presses hard on thy frail fingers, Hold on, cry, resist thy certain ruin! Trouble's court, may yet bestow thee favour. Dreams are but fancies giv’n swift wings, That soar beyond the bounds of reason; In minds that dare to fly unshackled, The dreamer becometh the vision. Love is both a journey and destination: Long and painful upon the path, Unsought, yet blissful when it is found. From dust conjur’d — to stars, we’re turned. Beware the self-righteous man, Whose pride does unseat the very world Before he sees his error. Piteous wounds of thine own hand, 'Tis easy to judge from afar Without walking with aching bones. If there be cause that yet remaineth here, It showeth their harshness and injustice To themselves and their loving others. Mourn their release with mercy and thanks Transient whispers guide along chance’s way. Weep not for those who have found Death’s embrace, They lament for us who tarry on old shores. Death but ushers a veiled dawn, not life's twilight, A metamorphosis of guise, not of the spirit's light. Though we must part for now, we shall be one again. For love’s wrought by flesh, yet holds not its chain. Time-worn age stoops; penitents depart. Pawned as one in vigilant trance But what a folly 'tis to mark the signs of our undoing; Memory's comet trails bequeathed to loved ones left, Contagion's rehearsal on the ephemeral stage. With luck, a stand-in may go on in thy stead. Ere thy final bow becomes unavoidable. With tyrant Death prowling public ways, I turn from mankind hence to seek delight. A chamber ceiling seen upon morn's wake, I say: “The sun does rise? Let's haste away!” Upon waking, a stone tomb's ashen lid, I would perchance say: “Alas!..mine eyes do grow heavy.” A life well-liv’d is not weigh’d by earthly goods Or the number of mourners at the grave. Numerous, deep laugh lines tell the tale, On the face of the person lying still in the crypt, Reveals threescore years and twelve’s true worth. Death is not the villain of the piece; It is the next phase of life, in strange attire. I accept my fate with grace and courage. For I have liv’d and lov’d and dream’d enough. © Stewart Stafford, 2024. All rights reserved.

In the past... when I snap, everything in my mind would go blank. And before I realized it, I would be surrounded by bodies on the ground. Afterwards, I'd feel disgusted. Not being able to fight against my own self made me sick to my stomach. But in the end, I managed to learn how to control myself. Even if I'm just half-assed I was still made human.

ESSE INDIA British Columbia selects more candidates; Manitoba ends open work permit policy for PNP candidates British Columbia issued more Invitations to Apply (ITAs) this week under its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) through two skills immigration pathways. Meanwhile, Manitoba announced the conclusion of its open work permit policy for certain Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. British Columbia PNP Updates On December 10, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) conducted two draws targeting Skilled Worker candidates, including those eligible under the Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC) option, and Entry Level & Semi-Skilled streams. Enhanced streams, like EEBC, align with Canada’s federal Express Entry system, allowing eligible candidates from the Express Entry pool to be considered for ITAs. • General Draw: This draw issued six ITAs across multiple streams, with varying minimum scores. • Priority Sector Draw: A second draw invited Skilled Worker candidates (including EEBC option) with experience in high-demand sectors of the British Columbian economy, issuing at least four ITAs. Manitoba PNP Policy Update The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) announced on December 6 that it will stop accepting applications under the “Temporary Public Policy for Work Permits Aimed at Prospective PNP Candidates.” This policy, introduced in August 2024, allowed MPNP to issue support letters to candidates in the Expression of Interest (EOI) pool or application inventory, enabling them to apply for open work permits (OWPs) through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). • Key Deadlines: o The online submission form for support letters will close at 11:59 PM CST on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 (12:59 AM EST, December 19). o IRCC will accept OWP applications under this policy until December 31, 2024. Candidates meeting eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply before the December 19 deadline by completing the online submission form.

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