Stars & Stripes

[mikebise]

Here it is, from the 3rd issue of Silver Springs (Fall 1991), all hand-typed by me this morning!

January 14, 1991

To all those who are a part of Operation Desert Shield:

It is exactly twenty minutes after eleven o'clock, the night of the 14th, Phoenix, Arizona time. I have spent three hours trying to think of what I can say that could possibly be of any help to you in the situation that you have been put in. You see, I have already seen this happen once, though Vietnam was not the same, this is more pre-meditated, more planned, more like World War Two. "I feel so helpless," Tom Petty would say, "I feel so helpless," that is what I would say, and I feel so frustrated. I feel the minutes ticking by and all the words I hear from the radio and from the television seem to be saying that we are, in fact, going to war within the next two days. I am having trouble even just writing this; my eyes keep filling up with tears... and I can't see the page. If I were in fact that strange fairy godmother that everyone thinks I am, and truly had magic at the ends of my fingertips, I should wish you all home... this very minute. But I don't have that kind of magic, all I can do now, is pray.

I have a very large golden cross around my neck that I am holding on to right now between sentences... that energy I can send you. It has truly gotten me through some severe life and death circumstances. Without it... I might not even be here, so that feeling, I CAN send you. There is one more thing I can send you, and that is the story of a Welsh mythological goddess named RHIANNON. I once, a very long time ago, wrote a song about her. It is called "the legend of the song of the birds of Rhiannon." Rhiannon was a queen in a world far above us called the bright world, where all the colors were brighter, and everyone had a special sort of glow around them. It was a beautiful world, and she loved her world, but she fell in love with a mortal king from OUR world... and she left her world to come to ours to be with him. Rhiannon had three birds, one white... one emerald green, and one golden. It is said that in time of war, or strife, or pain, that her song can be heard.

And down the glorious pathway, came the three singing birds, straight into the middle of the trouble and hardship... but that when you heard her song, your eyes would softly close and you would slip away. When you awoke the trouble would be gone, the sky would be the most wondrous blue, and far in the back of your mind you would hear that little song, like a delicate little music box. If you were lucky, you might even see the three beautiful birds slowly flying away from you, and if you were very very lucky, you might even see Rhiannon... slowly turning around to you to say, everything is fine, She is smiling, and you see her disappear into the fine white clouds.

It is said that the legend is true... so I send you the energy from my golden cross and the three singing birds of Rhiannon to comfort you and to keep you safe. Remember, music crosses every language, remember, miracles do happen... and remember, we do all love you so much for being so very very brave... you remain always... "the poets in my heart..." and I am sure I will see you all soon... with all due respect and great love, I remain yours... Stevie Nicks

The engraved inscription on the cross reads as follows... John 3:16 "Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him may not die but may have eternal life." Keep this in your hearts.

It has started to rain here; it is twenty minutes to five, Phoenix time... the fighting has begun...

It is eleven minutes to seven o'clock, (Arizona time.) The president is preparing to address the world of this situation.

These words keep running through my mind... "There for the grace of God, go I..."

Stevie