Like the Ancient Greek story-tellers and the renowned Japanese novelists, we will begin the only way we can realistically and practically begin and that is right in the middle of something else.
I have no idea where we will travel together. This is an invitation into the unknown, unmapped territory of the human psyche. I’m referring to a mythological sense of the soul. No hard-edged definitions here, no political stands unless they’re accidental.
What I wish for us is a little human adventure–how the soul wanders about when embodied in our miraculous minds and bodies that are born and die and experience one adventure after another in between.
Let’s follow our fictional travelers into their world and see where it leads us and what we think and feel about these people and situations.
Steve sat with his head in his hand. He felt the slick texture of his unwashed hair. He couldn’t remember how long he had been sitting and shifting his position onthe cement stair. He felt the wind and willed his body to stay warm.
The door behind him remained closed. Steve knew what was behind the door. He could see the hardwood floor with the one flaw, the one board that didn’t fit the pattern. Lily never noticed. Steve remembered how she painted the kitchen cupboards with thick white paint. She said she didn’t understand why he thought the paint didn’t look right.
The wind blew harder and Steve pulled his jacket zipper but it was caught in his shirt. For one second he wanted to rip the jacket open. The anger turned to resignation and passed into his chest as pain.
He caught a glimpse of red and the gray cement around him lifted and became brighter. The distant red figure leaned into the wind as it walked rapidly toward him. Even though the hood hid the face, Steve was sure it was Lily. He had never waited for her before, but he knew…
What impressions or feelings come to you?
Tags: ancient greece, anger, greek mythology, human psyche, interpretation, japanese novelist, pain, spiritual journey
Wow. Well this was worth the wait!
I have to say that my first reading of it went to a dark place. The red was more than anger, but perhaps blood and the figure coming towards him was the full realization of what he had done to Lily. Of course, I've probably watched to much TV and strange art films
On my second time through, I have a more nuanced take. I think he locked himself out and is angry, but needs to project it outward. He sees what's wrong around him, but not with himself. That may be Lily coming to him to unlock the door, but she doesn't want to see him as he really is (hood up)…
What an awesome first blog! Thanks for the brain stimulation.
Let me return a wow right back to you. The insight on Lily is so surprising but
feels perfect.
Seems to me Steve is dealing with some inconsistencies or differences in his long term relationship with Lily. He feels trapped, yet he still cares about her. The cement brightening as she approaches reflects the love that is still there even though frustration, anger and resentment also swirl about his soul.
Steve seems to recognize his deep seated dissatisfaction and judgment, but is resistant to look within for how to heal it. He is blaming and justifying but the call to see otherwise is growing stronger. The shift is happening within him -to awaken to intuition and expanded ways to perceive, but part of him is reluctant to welcome these gifts. He may even be dead and not yet fully comprehend his condition. He will soon embrace the fact that he is not alone. He will soon learn to see the light in others; in everything, and he will heal and be healed as will each of us.
he is taller than I thought, his seated posture makes it uncomfortable to see clearly, he needs to be inside safe and warm, his wife Lily who is not alltogether giving emotionally lurks on the outside of his life rather than being with him, giving him emotional support. The boards with the mismatched pattern reflect the dichotomy of living with someone that is not spiritually connected and yet shares the same experiences. He is torn between leaving her and staying with all the old hurts that he cannot live without. He is alone and yet with her he finds himself distracted enough to not want to let her go.