A Mortal's Place

By: Ellodin Posted on: June 30, 2014

The mural of all mortal lives,

with scenes that serve as inspiration,

is wrought as every mortal strives

to build a future home's foundation.

Yet sometimes, with awareness gained,

a man will find the art distasteful

and find himself, in truth, unable

to grasp why others aren't as pained

by the cathedral's general squalor

or poorly-used, discordant colours.

How does that person find a place

when he finds others' thoughts so base?

Here is a tale of solace found

when hope seemed lost, ship run aground.

Returning from a journey north,

he looked around and saw new faces

that seemed to call old memories forth.

Despite their youth, they showed clear traces

of traits embodied by the old -

they looked at new things and felt terror,

afraid to move for fear of error,

so fear took root and gained control.

Displeased, he sought to break those barriers,

becoming a rhetorical harrier,

and battled all who'd bar his path.

Exhaustion and increasing wrath

became new enemies in his fight.

It seemed there was no end in sight.

There is a rarer side of man

that does not just react to problems,

that makes the choice to act and plan

before the seeds of doubt can blossom.

Through time, most people lose that sense

and for our man, it was no different.

Though he deplored the inefficient,

he felt the walls were too immense -

"I just can't win," he thought, uncertain.

What spark could make him more determined,

what source of strength would give relief?

Was something out there worth belief,

or was this mission doomed to die

without a whimper or a sigh?

Then hope came from a startling source:

support lent by a higher power

renewed resolve to stay the course,

to face what'd come and never cower.

Throughout his journeys, he had been

his best when in Another's service

and now, approached and given purpose

directly from the Wildwood Queen?

All thought of giving up soon withered,

fresh avenues and views considered,

and soon he served that earthen god

who sought him out, though he was flawed.

Through this, his will awoke anew;

his palette now had different hues.

With greater insight, he saw those

who'd know Her name, yet still mistake Her

for mortal youth in sacred clothes.

He thought this an affront to Nature,

especially seeing how little care

most who complained put in becoming

more learned people. "They know nothing

about the world," he spoke in prayer,

"yet they have time to be deceitful."

But looking 'round at the cathedral,

'twas inspiration everywhere

and seeing this, he became aware

that though he could not change the past,

he could ensure great things would last.