[Rick Mullin]

Hey, thanks everyone. And thanks Wendy.

Well, this has been quite an experience--lots of input.

I've come to understand that people either get this poem or they don't--and they appear to have strong feelings about it one way or the other~,:^)

I'm not going to "explain it," but I can assure you that I did not intend it as a puzzle or riddle--I hate puzzles and riddles, especially in art and poetry. Dan Brown should be kept at least 100 yards from schools and libraries.

I'll add that the "most important word" for gaining entry is probably the first one. And that some folks are taking the word "station" way too literally.

The one person I feel compelled to answer directly is Fr. Robert, who raises the question of emotion over intellect. It is a fascinating question. I can say that the intellect had little to do with writing this one. When it comes to an artist's credo, I think it's hard to beat the George Inness quote written over the door to his gallery in the Montclair Art Museum in Montclair, NJ: Knowledge Must Bow to Spirit. That makes a lot of sense to me, especially when surrounded by Inness's landscapes. I think it extends beyond artistic considerations as well. It's not quite the question of intellect vs. emotion, but it's a similar variety of heart over head. I guess it is a question of which informs which and which bows when.

I hope this is helpful to those who had questions about the poem. I appreciate all of the input and thank everyone who voted for the thing. And everyone who participated.

Thanks once again to Wendy, and, of course, to Maryann who is always so supportive.

Rick