Of Reality and Ideals

Respectively presented for your consideration:

For those of you who haven’t met me already, please allow me to flaunt my ego for the moment and introduce myself. I’m an everyperson; I have no name, but you may call me X if you wish. My favorite color is black, the question mark is my preferential punctuation and I enjoy long walks through the mind. But enough about me, please tell me about you.

Do you think of yourself as a realist or an idealist? Choose carefully! Realists are stone-faced pessimists and idealists are detached dreamers who will never get by in real life. They belong to completely opposite sides of the spectrum… or so society tells us. In my picture of reality (and remember, you always have the option to define what reality is) they are less different. Realists see the world as what it is, idealists see the world as what it can be. To truly have an impact on this floating sphere we call home, I believe you must possess a little of both. After all, I doubt anybody would argue that we live in a perfect world. In addition, I believe that most everyone wants to influence our world in some way. To bring about a change you must know where you are and where you wish to go, otherwise you’re libel to lose yourself. So find yourself a balance.

Reality is often hard to take, we tend to separate ourselves into fantasy worlds where a misfortune didn’t occur or we befel marvelous fortune. This only makes being pulled back into reality the more painful. If you wish to truly find reality I believe you must deal with it head on the moment it comes for you. Let arrogant reality know that you’re the boss and you can take whatever it can dish out… you’ll be surprised at what the human mind is capable of when put to the task.

However, there’s something in those fantasy worlds that we create that has a certain draw to us… to human nature as a whole. Perhaps yours is where innocents aren’t killed daily or one where the word 'integrity' is more than just a noun. Understanding what is worth fighting for is just as important as dealing with the hand reality has dealt you. Because we all have the power to make the world a better place, we all have dreams – that insuperable power of the human spirit. Don’t let reality tell you that you can’t have that, deny reality the power to continue as it does without regard.

Now because it is against my style to leave without a question, I present to you these: Why is the world the way it is? Did realists just watch and let it happen? Did idealists envision it this way? Who are you to challenge the system? What is it to challenge you?

Best of luck!

Thirty Three

Thirty Three
And now it's Thirty Three
It should have been two
But, no there wasn't enough
Coordination apparently
Although
When two people are shot
And dead
You would think people would react
Rather than move on
But they weren't the ones dead
So that's what they did

Thirty Three
Thirty Three! The insolence!
That a number could hope to represent
Those human lives
These people had names!
Dreams!
Identities!
Thirty Three raised to infinity
But no, Thirty Three is how
They'll be remembered
Ridiculous!

Thirty Three
So what?
In the time those 33 were shot
Hundreds of others died
But do we care about them?
No!
People are shallow!
People die, it's what we do best!
Those thirty three fulfilled their
Birth given duty
Hopefully
They had the foresight
To make the time count
One did
He may have not done it in a good way at all
But he left a scar on the earth
That will not in my lifetime fade

Thirty Three
Thirty Three families deserted
Thirty Three potentials erased
Thirty Three churches one emptied
Thirty Three souls in heaven
Or more likely Thirty Two
But who am I to Judge
Perhaps it was only one
Or even none

Thirty Three
Freed spirits, Tell me!
For I always thought
That the 'winds of change' was
A tired platitude
But
Today the winds howled
Like the mothers
And the Husbands and the Wives
Of those who taught
And were taught
On this cold, cold
April

Thirty Three!
They have attained immortality
The set, tuner and web
Closed in
Before the skin was cooled
Shocked them into un
life
And they are forced to live
And they are forced into my life
And this undead army
of Thirty Three
Will change our world

Thirty Three?!
I was there but two days ago!
I must have seen some of their faces
God!
Now they're gone
And I never got to meet him or her
...as far as I know
But I saw them
They were just like me
But for an accident of 6 hours
They could have been me
Or I them
For 6 hours earlier in delivery
I would have been there now
And in thirty three days
I leave my school
For theirs
And in Three months and thirty days
I join

The "calm" before

As the movie rolled, they didn't notice the shadowy figure slip inside. The intruder carried a bundle in one arm and stayed in the prevailing darkness until the conclusion.

As the film drew to a close, Prime looked leisurely about and noticed that there was a visitor. This wasn't unusual following a movie, people tended to appear all the time during them. He called out the usual greeting.

"Welcome to Conscious Thought. Please state your name and business."

"You already know me" came the reply with a sneer.

The others began to stir even before the figure stepped out of the shadows.

Prime, seated by Order and Reason would have nothing of that in their presence. He repeated himself icily "Please state your name and your business"

Leisurely the figure came into full view to face his audience

"And as you already know, I have no name." He looked indignantly across the room. "Some of you" he said looking to Order, Reason, and Intellect in turn" might try to call me envy, or wistfulness, or perhaps longing. The last might be the closest, but I am none of those. You've dealt with them before, they're easier to keep locked away then I am. They can be kept from causing trouble...

However, as you see I'm impossible to keep out... at least under the current circumstances. You've all deceived yourselves. No matter how carefully you hide me, no matter how tightly you seal this realm, I'll find a way in."

Anger and Frustration shifted in their seats. Calm put up a pacifying hand.

Glancing briefly at the two, he continued.

"I know you all feel it. You've been oppressed by your oh-so-wise rulers. They've kept you at bay Freedom and Spirit, along with Impulse and Intuition. Look to your leaders. They're corrupting your Wisdom in his youth. Let the kid know all of you if he's to turn out true."

Those who had been mentioned shuffled in their corner, while Wisdom stared at his toes.

"That's quite enough!" barked Prime. We've only just established this peace and balance and now you're threatening it again!? We may not be able to keep you out, but we'll not give you any heed! Please leave now!"

"Oh, but I don't plan on it this time" he sneered again "I see what others can't. For example, that Fear is cowering behind your desks Reason, Order, Habit, Logic, and even yours, Patience. You've abused your functions, overstepped your bounds and I'm here to make sure this doesn't continue." He sat down in an empty chair.

"You can't sit there!" clamored Order "That seat has been reserved since birth!"

"Oh can't I?" came the response "Have you already forgotten who you've reserved it for? Do you remember who this is reserved for by birthright!?" Looking around in scorn, he went on. "Well, I'll tell you" he said as he began to undo his burden, the small bundle he'd in his arm for the extent.

"This seat belongs to Passion!" and he brought the infant into full view. The room erupted into banter, which was quickly silenced again as the speaker continued.

"Yes, you always thought he'd come in here fully grown and developed, I'm well aware of what you thought. However, you were out of your mind. It won't just happen! Things this precious need to be raised and nurtured before he can take his rightful place and you should have known that!" He rose and placed the babe in his chair. "But because you didn't, I've brought him here from the festering corners of your realm. He is my charge and he is the reason I will not leave."

Arrogance had risen and was now standing with Prime. Seemingly together they roared at their intruder, the war-maker.

"We will have this no longer! Leave the child and go. He may be pure, but you are not and there is no use, nor welcome for you here. There is a peace here, and you won't be disturbing it again!"

Shaking his head, the speaker walked to a seat nobody remembered having seen before.

"You're wrong again, can't you see that's why I'm here? I have supporters here, one's you'll never know" Staring at Reason and company. "Look at the back of this desk. Do you see the "x" on it? The mark of the unknown? Two seats are filled today, this one is mine. But before I take my seat at your 'council', I believe it's time for a change of mind."

At his word, the room was engulfed in chaos. Desks collapsed, the people took up their arms, and pandemonium reigned throughout the Realm.