If I Had The Wings

About the Book

The late 1960s and 70s in Iowa City, Iowa

I brought together two separate stories I wrote decades ago:

Alexander Amadeus Shakespeare appears in the first 3-Chapters as a mere bubble void of little understanding of why his being…. The stories become one story.

Alexander Amadeus Shakespeare is a freshman at the University of Iowa, for a nine-year-old quite an achievement. Doctor David Bernstein is associate professor in the Department of Psychology. The two have recently bonded. Dr. Bernstein has never married; little Alex is extremely intelligent, but socially awkward. He has had no father involvement; however, William Shakespeare XV is his birth father. This William is intellectually remote from ‘Bard’ of the sixteen hundreds. William XV has dire genes: however, a providential little cuss drove to the heart Priscilla.

Alex’s mother, Priscilla, has never married, Alex is her cherished deliverance. They live together in a third-floor apartment. Priscilla will become diagnosed with breast cancer, the prognoses potentially fatal. Little Alex prevails, entreating the Self-aware Universe allow little Alex to be the sacrificial offering for his mother.

Of all things unlikely, Bard of Avon virtually appears in Alex’s bedroom, three-dimensional, prodded by little Alex to speak current English, The two are parallel mindsets.

The Sovereign Council of famous historical, virtual, bodies makes appearances in Alex’s bedroom. They eventually concur to Alex’s reasoning. Shakespeare is Alex’s facilitator for the distinguished group. They include: Mohandas Gandhi, Zoroaster, Alexander Pope, Socrates, and the Apostle Paul.

Priscilla’s cancer goes into remission, while little Alex begins suffering severe headaches. He reconciles with his birth father. Dr. David Bernstein weds Priscilla. Alex has a brief father in Bernstein.

Before passing, Alex witnesses the Bard traveling forward ten years to the future. It will be the providential scheme making all events plausible to those Alex loved. Further, he asked that David and Priscilla have a baby named Alexander Amadeus Shakespeare II. The foretold events in a chosen book on a very shelf in Iowa Book and Supply, ten years in the future; on a chosen day and near moment… all will be revealed—the “why” of Destiny altered. It is allegorical: A Sacrificial Love Story.

About the Author

Learning to write poetry and fictional allegorical stories has always been Jerry Rempp’s driving stimulus for sixty years: Unstrained Mercy, Ghost Dancing in Solitude (publisher no longer in business); Hands that Sink and Rise... Again; and several older, no longer in print, including: Menitheos the Skeptical Savior, and Hold Fast to Quiet Things.

I’ve reached my mid-eighties. I have always challenged myself: At fifteen I constructed a 6-inch reflecting telescope, grinding the Pyrex lens to its focal-point, bringing the night heavens closer. At seventeen I became a Licensed pi-lot. Then off to college at St. Louis U. of Park’s College studying Aeronautical Technology. And then four years at SUI School of Religion.

In addition, I have also been a stringed musical instrument and custom furniture maker. Then become a professional photographer (of Iowa and America). In 1984 won “Best Professional Portrait” in a 5-State Competition: The Franklin Medlar Award. I also became an Instructor at Iowa Valley Community College for another decade.

I retired eighteen years ago and have immersed myself in Quantum Theory and other academic interests. Then, after retirement, I refurbished an old savings bank that closed in 1937. Along with my wife, Dianna, and two kitties, we abide there.