Perception rides the ether
Thoughts and feelings there abound
Perception in mixed company
Knowledge sensed and balance found
Perception in the darkness
Fitting pieces to the whole
Perception in the morning light
Sets the daylong tone
Thought rests in dark, still places
Where the feelings echo low
Thought in conversation
Chessmen glide through rank and row
Thought in dreaming moments
Chaos wars with what is known
Thought in moments waking
New adventures to unfold
Perception said to dear friend Thought
“Good Sir, how have you been?”
T answered pensive and direct
“I think I’m fine and good
And you dear Lady, how are you?
What say you of this day?”
P dug deep and with broad sight, to T had this to say:
“The omens speak of troubles and black creatures in the dark
But victory and of happiness once things are put to right
I’m joyful and I’m hopeful yet I’m frightened and distraught
But we’ll see what tomorrow brings
With dawn’s first breaking light”
“Oh my!” said T with a slight start
“I’d not considered that!
I wonder what there is to do and what we both may lack
I’ll work on that, I’ll search and dig, I’ll find the tool we need
I’ll marshal all our forces and from evil we’ll be freed”
“No, no!” said P, “Don’t be alarmed
That’s not quite right it seems
The balance is quite sensitive and centered on the mean
No need for force, no need for war
Just listen, look and feel
Now still yourself and know the sun still rises in the East”
But T was edgy, ill at ease
And called his men to him
They’d take the tower on the hill where the dark forces hid
They planned for weeks, studied and honed
They dreamed of grand conquest
Then one fine morning there arrayed T Beat upon his breast
The time has come my loyal men
The time for war is now
Say your prayers and your good-byes”
The battle horn was blown
P heard the mighty trumpet blast
And all fell into place
But how to stop the mighty force from making their mistake
P rode to T and begged of him, “You must not do this thing
The tower’s stood a thousand years
Who knows what this may bring?”
“Fear not” said T, “Be unafraid
We’re careful and we’re sure
We’ll take the mighty tower and ‘twill trouble us no more”
P stepped aside, a moment’s lapse, for T had all the facts
But P now fearing tragedy found she could not relax
T’s army marched forth, brave and strong, through villages and woods
For days they marched at double time and all felt sure they should
Now finally at the tower’s gate they marveled at its size
And as they scanned for battlements to heaven rose their eyes
T donned his armor, helm and gloves and summoned his best ten
For though the tower, blackened stone, loomed large and fed their dread
Its doors were open, beckoning, onward T led his men
He glanced inside then entering was met by many stairs
Some led up and some led down, some seemed to go nowhere
He chose the steps most difficult, then marched forward again
For days or years they couldn’t know
But wearied from the climb, one by one the men fall back ‘til T was left alone
He chanced upon a simple door, jet black but stripped with white
The door was solid yet opened freely though his touch was light
Once inside he caught his breath then started at a sound
For sitting at a simple table sat P and an old man
T frowned at P, but tenderly, for T was fond of P
But glowered at the man and said, “I’ve come to claim this keep”
“The keep is yours” the old man said, “enter as you will
But I must say I’ve talked with P and this is what you want”
He gestured at the table and two objects on its plane
A golden goblet filled with wine, it gleamed in the room’s gray
And next to it a scepter shone with jewels both green and red
“P’s told me of the omens and her feelings of distress
This goblet holds the key to life, this scepter frees from death
But know you may select but one and one will cease to be
For these two pieces only live by will or harmony”
T took a chair and joined the pair and weighed his options twice
Then three times and then five times
But he couldn’t get it right
T sits there still, the old man too
He waits for T to speak
And sometimes P, she comes and goes
Her days now filled with ease