057: Alas, My Dear

My dear, it would be unwise
to step forth.
We do not know
where the path leads,
and yet we take it.

The winding road,
alas, going downwards,
sending us
on a wild chase.

Yet how are we supposed to predict
what is to come,
how are we to survive
this unknown.
It is not for lack of will
that we allow ourselves to be led,
but
of a sense of tiredness.

We tire my dear.
Endlessly—ourselves, others,
the world.

Yet we take this path, who
is to stop us
but ourselves?
If we do not,
no one will.
And yet we take this path.

This path
so unwise.

Oh, but should we dare
to reverse
and go up—
what would happen?
Would we reach
Heaven?
No my dear,
for Heaven is not the past
and will never be.
We can only bring our minds
to ease
with the thought.
Yet we know.
Oh, we know.

The past is not Heaven.
No, it is a series of events, all of which
eventually end.
Would it be wise to walk back
and see this again?
No, my dear.
Should we so do,
we would sear our minds,
we would neglect our souls, make them
see
what they
wished to forget.

And so, my dear, we must move
forward, even
if it is downward.
For it is better for us
to see the future
than to dwell on the past.

And yet we know that our future
will be our past.
This, my dear,
is a confusing thought,
and yet it is the truth.
For we must walk,
or swim,
or fly,
however we can
we must move.
Despite what the future holds.

We know of our demise,
we have seen it before and
we will see it again.
We are such strange creatures,
spending time
dwelling on the past,
and yet predicting
our future.

But my dear, do not fright,
I know you will learn
and I know you will be strong.

But you must know
and you must learn
and you must move on.

My dear,
the world is cruel,
and yet
so peaceful.

You know why, my dear.
I know you know,
for you are like me.
Flittering, flying, soaring—
“How?” you ask.
My dear, you know,
and as long as you know
you will prevail.
You will travel that path
and meet what comes
and see it pass
and you will prevail.
For you know—
you know the truth that therein lies,
you know the truth that therein befell
and that which therein will follow.

As long as you follow this path,
however destructive it may be,
you know
that at the end,
there is peace.

That is what you need.

And so you must prevail,
my dear, you will see this through,
and follow it through
a thousand times.

My dear, this path is winding
and unsure.
It is unwise,
yet you know it is
correct.
For this is but one road,
changing with the tide,
and you know
never to travel back,
that would be dangerous, my dear.

Do not dwell too long
on this road.
You must see it through.

My dear,
will you believe me when I say
that the future is a storm,
but the past
is a raging fire.
I know, my dear,
that you will make the right choice.

Alas, my dear,
you must make this choice
yourself. I only
give guidance.
I know you are stubborn,
I know, my dear.

Remember what I have said,
but do not linger.
Move, my dear,
that is what you need to know.

And if you meet a lost soul,
tell them what I have told you,
but do not linger.
They must take the choice
themselves.

And before you leave,
my dear, bid farewell
to the three you have so cherished.
Now go,
for you have lingered too long.
My dear, may your travels be safe
and may the path be
as unforgiving to you as it was to me.

Written by: Id H.