The One Song 11 – Segment 5

Soul searching – asking the big questions – speculating on the meaning of life. These are all traits of transition spaces and potential transformations, as we discussed in last week’s post. In this current post, something intrudes on such contemplations. The MC has a number of practical things to consider. Where to get food? How to travel now that the boat, Hart, has floated away? How to make sense of Shield Bearer? Will there be more Dragons in the future? All this is put on hold based on what happens in this next segment.

At this point . . . the main character’s ruminations are interrupted by an unexpected voice speaking to Argose who has scampered away, exploring, and probably drawn by the scent of some one. 

An instant later, a voice coos to Argose

“Well aren’t you handsome? And what a fine coat!”

I hear Argose panting and lifting paws

side to side and I know his tail’s wagging

Suddenly, a fine white mist rolls out from

a dim cave like a throat leading into

cracked open river cliffs that block the sun

The voice continues its one-way talking

Could this be another one that wants talk

like Shield Bearer a Dragon real and True

who engaged Argose and me – incredible!

That seems like a Dream from a long time gone

. . . Argose yips and whines his happy-dog tongue

The voice peels out a feathery, high-pitched laughter 

I hear them tussling somewhere in the fog

for now, the mist has become swollen clouds

Their joy sets me to smiling at their glee

but staying silent, I only listen

“Come on, Mr. Furry. Soon you’ll grind me

down to a powder and I’ll blow away

though ‘tis a wondrous time with you to play  

Next, unhurried footfalls advance toward me

Argose bounds out of the fog and jumps up

his hot-pink tongued lolling drip, drool, and spit

I fluff his long, silky ears, lick his nose

“What have you been up to?” I smile asking

Other than his panting, all is silent

He lopes back into the mist – disappears

comes back again three more times, back and forth

Finally, he sits next to me staring hard

into the gray cloud-swirling impending

Something – Nothing –no voice – no sound at all

Moments slide along in slow procession

as if each watches for recognition

each one-pointed time’s singularity

The mist grown heavy hangs like swamp mosses

Gray, thick, and twisted roots vein the steep cliffs

as I small-step my way toward the cave mouth

compassed on by Argose’s yips and woofs

What light there is grows steadily dimmer

a slight swirl lifts the thick mist to cave ceiling

and falls heavier toward the stony floor

Something       Someone          But no One near

I strain to see into more than Nothing

I stand staring, light behind, night before

Again, Argose emerges from the throat

He trots to me, pretty sits, almost grins

corners of his mouth pulled back flashing teeth

He is excited although not worried      

keeps looking from me to the deepening cave

to the black before us where sentience waits

A wind rushes against the cave’s moist walls

spinning the haze into circles and swirls

Clouds part inside the cave and out – sun flashes

revealing rows of black bats ceiling-hung

wings folded firmly against furred bodies

and on the floor everywhere their droppings

The bat clusters vibrate but stay composed

“Who’s there? Who’s there?” Echoes from the dusky gorge

and with those words, she emerges from the mists

Background

Transitional spaces can be filled with surprises. Such spaces, by nature, keep us open and aware. Personally, I’ve experienced more transitions than I care to remember, especially in the first half of my life. They are full of surprises, opportunities, obstacles, and all manner of incomprehensible goings on. But only temporarily incomprehensible. The very nature of transitions is that they are dynamic, if the transition traveler just keeps moving – that sometimes means standing still (meditation, contemplation, prayer).

Explorations 1: Something, yet nothing, goes on in this segment. Can you feel the dichotomy? 

Exploration 2: What is your reaction to Argose’s place in this segment?

Exploration 3: Who do you think the voice belongs to? Real or imagined? Female or male – think shapeshifter potential. Friend or enemy.