I
I was walking through
the forest of life
when I saw in my path
a shade whose spectral form
blocked my way to the
sweet fruits that lay beyond.
II
“Who are you, shade?”
I asked, “Why do I find you
now, in my travels?”
The shade spoke not but
instead pointed down yonder path
and grinned a shade’s grin.
III
Where he pointed I could
see through the space between trees
a castle as black as night from
where it sat brooding on a high hill.
Instantly were the fruits
forgotten, so great my urge
to reach and enter this castle.
IV
When I looked again, the
shade had vanished
and I was alone once more.
Quickly I continued down
the path and towards my goal.
V
The way was long and
as I finally reached the hill
upon which the castle sat
night had begun to fall.
VI
As I looked up, my first thought
was that the castle had vanished
leaving me alone and lost
at the end of the path.
VII
When suddenly I saw a flame
burn from one of its
high windows. I realized
the castle was still there
but as deeply black as the
darkening sky above.
VIII
Soon stars were visible
and the contrast of the infinite
darkness of the castle against them
seemed as if a great black hole
had opened up, revealing
the never ending darkness
that lies beyond what is known.
IX
Up I climbed until I
came to its great gate
and with beating heart
did I gently push it open
and enter the courtyard.
X
In it stood a fountain,
now dry, and beyond that
the crimson door through
which I would gain access
to this mysterious keep.
XI
As I approached the door
I could read the inscription
written by its large metal knocker:
“Behind you lies what is known,
ahead lies the unknown. For what
is behind this door changes everything.”
XII
Slowly did I push the door
and it quickly gave in.
I passed the threshold and
my eyes adjusted to the
the darkness inside.
XIII
As my vision cleared I
saw what lay in the middle of the room:
a pen and a blank piece of paper.
Aug 3, 2015
Aug 3, 2015 at 4:06 AM UTC
I
I was walking through
the forest of life
when I saw in my path
a shade whose spectral form
blocked my way to the
sweet fruits that lay beyond.
II
“Who are you, shade?”
I asked, “Why do I find you
now, in my travels?”
The shade spoke not but
instead pointed down yonder path
and grinned a shade’s grin.
III
Where he pointed I could
see through the space between trees
a castle as black as night from
where it sat brooding on a high hill.
Instantly were the fruits
forgotten, so great my urge
to reach and enter this castle.
IV
When I looked again, the
shade had vanished
and I was alone once more.
Quickly I continued down
the path and towards my goal.
V
The way was long and
as I finally reached the hill
upon which the castle sat
night had begun to fall.
VI
As I looked up, my first thought
was that the castle had vanished
leaving me alone and lost
at the end of the path.
VII
When suddenly I saw a flame
burn from one of its
high windows. I realized
the castle was still there
but as deeply black as the
darkening sky above.
VIII
Soon stars were visible
and the contrast of the infinite
darkness of the castle against them
seemed as if a great black hole
had opened up, revealing
the never ending darkness
that lies beyond what is known.
IX
Up I climbed until I
came to its great gate
and with beating heart
did I gently push it open
and enter the courtyard.
X
In it stood a fountain,
now dry, and beyond that
the crimson door through
which I would gain access
to this mysterious keep.
XI
As I approached the door
I could read the inscription
written by its large metal knocker:
“Behind you lies what is known,
ahead lies the unknown. For what
is behind this door changes everything.”
XII
Slowly did I push the door
and it quickly gave in.
I passed the threshold and
my eyes adjusted to the
the darkness inside.
XIII
As my vision cleared I
saw what lay in the middle of the room:
a pen and a blank piece of paper.
