The show must go on...
Wandering by candle light in a forest of self denial and passive aggressive actions, I find myself upon the edge of a dark lake, The water is dark and murky. The surface is as smooth as glass, but there seems to be objects swirling frantically just below the surface. I look at my reflection and what stares back at me appears to be a dark human like creature with empty eye sockets. I am disgusted by this vision myself.
Unable to function properly with used up shoddily repaired parts that threaten to fail at any moment, I sigh at my current lack of ability to recall successes to lighten my existence. All that remains is an empty husk that definitely shows wear.
As the empty sockets stare back at me, I am mesmerized by the swirling darkness within them. I start to lean forward, ever closer to the murky surface. Soon all I see is the dark swirling masses as they become hypnotic. I know there is insanity within those depths. I sit and spend a moment pondering whether insanity is a better path. How far into the depths would I have to travel to lose myself?
I sit for hours, my nose just an inch or so from the surface. My body aches from maintaining the posture, but that is of no consequence, pain is a constant in life.
Eventually reality returns to me. The light starts to brighten the shores. The lake remains a dark spot.
I sit up and reach in my pocket. I retrieve a small crystal clear bottle from my pocket. I remove the stopper and hold it in my spare hand. Being very careful not to touch the water, I dip the bottle partially beneath the surface. When I am finished, I stopper the bottle again. I rip a piece of cloth from my shirt and use it to wipe any remaining drops off the bottle. I take the candle and let the melted wax drip along the top, sealing the stopper. I then burn the cloth I used to wipe the bottle.
I hold the bottle up to the light. I am unable to see any light through the black liquid inside. All I see are differing shades of black. Lowering the bottle, I am blinded as the light returns. I have bottled insanity. I will keep it with me for safe keeping in case there ever is a time of need.
I am still an empty shell, but purpose returns to me. There are others that depend on me, and need me in the world that I come from. I will continue my journey along that path. I will do it for them, if not for myself. I extinguish the candle and walk towards the light, leaving smoldering bits of cloth, and the impressions in the sand I have created on the shore.
As I retreat from the lake, I adjust my posture, fix my hair and clothes, and affix a pleasant look to my face.
All will be well... Even if I have to fake it.
Unable to function properly with used up shoddily repaired parts that threaten to fail at any moment, I sigh at my current lack of ability to recall successes to lighten my existence. All that remains is an empty husk that definitely shows wear.
As the empty sockets stare back at me, I am mesmerized by the swirling darkness within them. I start to lean forward, ever closer to the murky surface. Soon all I see is the dark swirling masses as they become hypnotic. I know there is insanity within those depths. I sit and spend a moment pondering whether insanity is a better path. How far into the depths would I have to travel to lose myself?
I sit for hours, my nose just an inch or so from the surface. My body aches from maintaining the posture, but that is of no consequence, pain is a constant in life.
Eventually reality returns to me. The light starts to brighten the shores. The lake remains a dark spot.
I sit up and reach in my pocket. I retrieve a small crystal clear bottle from my pocket. I remove the stopper and hold it in my spare hand. Being very careful not to touch the water, I dip the bottle partially beneath the surface. When I am finished, I stopper the bottle again. I rip a piece of cloth from my shirt and use it to wipe any remaining drops off the bottle. I take the candle and let the melted wax drip along the top, sealing the stopper. I then burn the cloth I used to wipe the bottle.
I hold the bottle up to the light. I am unable to see any light through the black liquid inside. All I see are differing shades of black. Lowering the bottle, I am blinded as the light returns. I have bottled insanity. I will keep it with me for safe keeping in case there ever is a time of need.
I am still an empty shell, but purpose returns to me. There are others that depend on me, and need me in the world that I come from. I will continue my journey along that path. I will do it for them, if not for myself. I extinguish the candle and walk towards the light, leaving smoldering bits of cloth, and the impressions in the sand I have created on the shore.
As I retreat from the lake, I adjust my posture, fix my hair and clothes, and affix a pleasant look to my face.
All will be well... Even if I have to fake it.