A friend sent this screenshot to me this morning from Vernon’s Google Fonts page. It’s the sample phrase for Vernon’s ‘oxygen’ font So I decided to look at the other sample phrases on his page. I made my own screenshots and then wrote down the phrases as I’d saved them at random. I thought perhaps I could create a poem out of them, moving each phrase around to what felt best. But even as I wrote them down, I could see they were taking on a beautiful poem of their own. This is exactly as I copied them into my notebook. A poem from Vernon via Google Fonts. He is still speaking from the semi-beyond.
My two natures had memory in common.
Almost before we knew it, we had left the ground.
The face of the moon was in shadow.
Waves flung themselves the blue evening.
It was going to be a lonely trip back.
A shining crescent far beneath the flying vessel.
Silver mist suffused the deck of the ship.
All of their equipment and instruments are alive.
She stared through the window at the stars.
The spectacle before us was indeed sublime.
The sky was cloudless and of a deep dark blue.
A red flair silhouetted the jagged edge of a wing.
I watched the storm, so beautiful yet terrific.
Then came the night of the first falling star.
(Pictures found today on Vernon’s Google+ page.)
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Allison,
How beautiful and you will find things as you go along this journey.
Hugs,
Becky
You don’t know me but but I’ve no doubt that were we to meet, I would enjoy sharing tea with you. I went to school with a mutual friend of ours (Amy Keating Rogers) and I learned about Vernon via a post on her FB page. It happened to be the post that announced the beginning of Vernon’s transition. He was surrounded by love and music; friends and family. The scene brought me to tears. I had to know more about his story, about you all. I discovered your blog and feverishly read each and every beautiful and heart filled entry. I don’t know any of you and yet I feel that I am grieving with you. I don’t presume to feel the depths of sadness that belong solely to you, but know that I have been with you in thought every day since. I am holding vigil with you. You are a gorgeous light-filled being. I wish you, Justine, Maki, and all of those whom Vernon has undeniably touched over his lifetime, comfort and peace as you move through the thickets to the clearing. Much love to you.
Thank you for reading…and sharing, Ann. 🙂
When Melissa posted his fonts I went through and read them all and I too, had thought the same thing. The sample phrases used for Vernon’s fonts are so poetic and compelling and in many ways, are like hidden messages.
I wondered if he himself had written these phrases? If so, they reveal a great deal about his way of seeing the world. If not, I see them as another sort of message/sign.
I thought he had it first too…but they are more dreamy than his voice. I looked at other fonts by other designers and the same phrases were used…so I expect someone else came up with them. Still…it all worked together as some kind of perfect poem.
You live in our hearts for always and forever dear brother
I love how you pulled it all together, feels a bit like a map you made from bits and pieces when stitched paint a beautiful picture.
I’ve read every post you’ve made since I heard of your story.
https://youtu.be/6zE3s4-y6KQ
Peace and prayers for all of you.
If anyone is interested, it’s a string of books Google use to showcase fonts, and yes, they are beautiful.
“My two natures had memory in common.” (Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
“Almost before we knew it, we had left the ground.” (A Trip to Venus, by John Munro)
“The face of the moon was in shadow.” (Mr. Spaceship, by Philip K. Dick)
“Waves flung themselves at the blue evening.” (The Jewels of Aptor, by Samuel R. Delany)
“It was going to be a lonely trip back.” (Youth by Isaac Asimov)
“A shining crescent far beneath the flying vessel.” (Triplanetary, by E. E. Smith)
“Silver mist suffused the deck of the ship.” (The Jewels of Aptor, by Samuel R. Delany)
“All their equipment and instruments are alive.” (Mr. Spaceship, by Philip K. Dick)
“She stared through the window at the stars.” Not sure on this one)
“The spectacle before us was indeed sublime.” (A Trip to Venus, by John Munro)
“The sky was cloudless and of a deep dark blue.” (A Trip to Venus, by John Munro)
“A red flair silhouetted the jagged edge of a wing.” (The Jewels of Aptor, by Samuel R. Delany)
“I watched the storm, so beautiful yet terrific.” (Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley)
“Then came the night of the first falling star.” (The War of the Worlds, H. G. Wells)
thanks for this, John. Its so cool to see the references. I appreciate the list!