11.16.92

the warrior's paces were slow
confident yet humbled
one by one
they led him to his
hallowed solitude
his place to which he could take
no one
for there were no directions to follow
no maps to read, no landmarks to
remember
Inside was brilliant darkness
incredible warmth, deathly cold
it was here where he truly learned
sword and shield, unsheathed and laid down
left for the protection by the gods from
which they were bestowed
there was no need for them here
there was no protection to be offered
from them
only courage honesty and virtue
weapons which could not be forged
with tools and fire
but which must be dug from the plains of uncertainty
discovered, uncovered, and polished to
excellence
for perfection exists only in vanity
now is the time for the next lesson
a lesson perhaps in equality, patience,
water, speed, hate, destruction, power,
death
as he sat visions soon joined him
they spoke silent words and saw
through broken eyes
they sat with him feasting
telling him stories of music and youth
the feasting turned to dancing....