"A Scene"

A Man    Long have I sought answers
                Yet now, seeing her, I stand mute.
                What glories, what honors shall be mine
                When I ask of the Goddess Future
                And She tells me what lies ahead.
Goddess
Future    Ask of me what you will
                It is mine to answer plainly.
Man       Future, what shall be my greatest glory
               In times to come?
Fut         Happiness is the greatest treasure
              And is sought by all
               Through many and various means.
               Happiness may be a part of all futures.
Man         Yes, 'tis true
                Happiness is a worthy crown.
                How shall I find my happiness?
                Through wealth, fame, power?
                If this glory is to be mine
                From whence shall it come?
Fut         From love. True happiness
                Comes only through love.
                Not love of money
                Or of clattering applause
                Nor love of deeds greatly done
                Or wars bravely fought
                But simple love.
                To love oneself
                Freely, and daily, and imperfectly
                As in all the affairs of man
                This brings the greatest of all treasures
                Happiness.
Man         Love? Love??
                My greatest glory in all my days
                Shall come through love?!
                By the power that has put us here
                In this darksome void of emptiness
                You are bound to answer all
                And answer plain!
                Yet you stand before me
                Spouting riddles and ancient stories
                Told to fresh weaned children.
                Tell me! Tell me true! Tell me plain!!
                Where and how and when
                Shall I find happiness!!?
Fut         I tell you true and I tell you plain
                As I have always done
                And never were these words hidden
                From anyone's heart.
                They have been lying amongst your feet
                Crowding you and tripping you
                As you travel your daily lives.
                Yet you kick them aside
                Daring not to look down
                Through fear of being devoured
                By life's pains while caring
                Or lest some vain comfort of man
                Pass you by.
                Truly I say
                The ones who find happiness
                Are those open to change.
                For all mankind yearns
                For the missing part
                And accepts what is before them
                To fill the emptiness.
                But only those who recognize
                The ill-fitting lies of
                Worldly miss-pleasures
                And frail human vanities
                Only they are free to continue the search
                And eventually gain, happiness.
Man         Words, hollow words.
                Long have I lived.
                Many are my tales
                Of wearisome toil and effort
                And again all that is found
                Are simple words.
                You, Future
                Who's power it is to know
                The fates of all men
                Answer me with uncertainties.
                Go, go back to where you came from
                Leave me alone.
                I shall rest,
                And tend to my pains and sorrows.
Fut         NO!! There are no uncertainties
                Or riddles in my speech.
                Only to those who love themselves
                And others
                Is given the boon of happiness.
                You, who's ears are small
                And filled with worldly echoes
                Distorting all,
                You stand before a Goddess
                And dismiss Her words
                Rather than admit your error.
                And yet,
                It is the honor and privilege
                Of all free willed man to do so.
                Therefore I shall be silent,
                And leave you,
                At your own bidding.