|
"The Soul
Keys caught my attention upon reading the first
chapter of Oakley's fictional account which was
inspired by, and dedicated to, the memory of his Arabian
horse Fred.
Oakley's moving book
begged me to read it in one sitting as my curiosity was
piqued to discover what happens to Ream Johnson (the blind main character of this
story), his blossoming
relationship with journalist Sally Barringer, and how he
progresses in the horsemansip lessons generously offered by his endearing cowboy poet friend,
Gus.
The moral of this story
revolves around living the "Principle" which
is learned through the dynamics of Ream's new
friendships and the dance of trust between the newly
blind Ream and a horse named Biff.
This book is sweet,
moving and insightful. I highly recommend
this book to others."
- Amelia Andaleon
About The Soul
Keys by Jim Oakley
The Soul Keys is a contemporary, uplifting drama about a blind man who rides a majestic Arabian horse in a parade. In the crowd is Sally Barringer, a newspaper reporter, who has an ongoing telephone romance with someone she has yet to meet. Unknown to Sally, the man on the phone and the blind rider are the same man.
As the parade is about to start, and with this tense yet courageous beginning, the story flashes back to a year previous when, "a freak ricochet bullet during a convenience store holdup not only shattered the optic nerve of Ream Johnson, who was an innocent bystander, but also demolished his spirit.
Some never recoup from a fragmented and mangled spirit. Others become more from the experience, because no one is really complete until they deal with an infirmity, which is bigger than they are. Those unique souls have scrutinized all of existence to decipher their dilemma, because for them to understand their plight is also to be freed from it.”
At the Rehab Unit Ream meets Hiram Manchester, a professor of comparative religion at the University, who provides sage advice, "One must follow their deepest sense of being, doing and becoming what is born out of that being. When you follow that, all kinds of things jump out of life to help. There is something about the integrity of such a life which draws inspiration and grace from the heavens."
Ream moves to Sedona, Arizona, famous for its red rocks, Indian folklore and spiritual diversity, where he meets Gus Meeker and his extraordinary Arab horse, Biffer. Ream is taught to master an intuitive, extra-sensory, “Principle” of riding to release a horse, not man-handle it. Gus relates, "Don't expect it to make a lot of sense as I tell it to you, but it will when you do it. You must express it with your hands through the lead rope. This “Principle” is the most valuable insight I have ever learned about horses, people and life.
The Principle is universal because in every living creature there is a dignity, and the spirit to be free, and one other thing I will tell you about later.... As he led Biffer, using the Principle, Ream sensed the fragile connection he had made with the horse. It was almost mystical. Biffer's trust had the innocence of a five day old puppy opening its eyes for the first time.”
During the same period Johnson accidentally meets Sally over the phone. Ream decides not to discuss his blindness because he doesn't want pity and never expects to meet Sally. Their phone conversations, however, ignite something more.
Ream reports the unique conversations to Hiram Manchester who questions, "looks like you're back to the root question in life. What should one fall in love with? I wonder what a blind man falls in love with? Is there a path through the maze, which is clearer for him? Is there a homing device inside him which is more accessible? That's why I am keenly interested in what you are experiencing."
Then by an odd circumstance of fate, Ream and Sally find themselves sitting next to each other at a Cowboy Poet’s performance. They do not recognize each other until Sally lets some clues drop in casual conversation. Ream recognizes Sally. “At first, her words bounced on the surface, not sinking in. Then Ream was trying to collect more than the words, he was trying to collect himself. The realization struck him emphatically. The voice was Sally's voice.
The next few seconds were an avalanche of conflicting feelings, thoughts, and reactions for Ream. Their phone calls had evolved into a meaningful attraction between them. Now her presence next to him eclipsed the telephone memory. It was as if they had been strangers until now. Inside, he paused, pondering whether he should reveal himself. Was this the time and place for him to make the disclosure? Was he prepared for her possible reaction? Would she pity him or be shocked?
Her arm brushed against his on the armrest between them. This casual touch ignited the drama, and expanded his appreciation of her presence even further. In the next moment he felt her warm hand on his requesting his attention, as she asked…”
Later in the story, as Ream learns to ride Biff, Gus Meeker relates to Ream’s dismembered spirit as he himself suffered immense trauma in the war, and accomplishes what ministers and psychologists couldn't. Meeker with the Principle, becomes a cowboy who mends a man.
In a compelling, suspenseful climax all of the events and characters are dramatically unmasked and collide as the treasured horse, Biffer, is jeopardized. How Sally reclaims her womanhood from a double mastectomy, and unlocks her spirit, as well as Reams, with her soul keys, is the suddenly meaningful moment of the story. Herein, is an epiphany of insight into life, living and loving. As Gus Meeker said, “This Principle is the most important thing I have ever learned, about horses people and life”.
|
