Fable of the Fool who Kicked

author’s note:

I’m embarrassed to say: based on a true story.


FABLE OF THE FOOL WHO KICKED

Considering
all the obstinate obtuse obstacles
I’ve encountered on this path...

I naturally felt frustrated
at that librarian kneeling in the aisle
between the bookshelves--
he must have known
I stood behind him, waiting to pass.

So I felt justified in giving him
a little kick on the heel of his shoe--
after all, I’d been told:
you must assert your rights as an individual!

Only later did I see:
I’d wanted to ease the pain
of so many losses
by scoring a small win
in the history section.

But as soon as my toe hit his heel
the violence of the act, though slight
awoke my higher self.
As if by instinct, I felt ashamed.
Again, I saw:
causing hurt does not cure your hurt.

So even though that humble man said
"oh excuse me"
I rushed to declare
"I'm terribly sorry—please forgive me!"

Later at home
I tried to relieve my guilt
by making right foot strike left foot--

once...twice...
then I realized:
instead of kicking just one person
I’d now kicked two.

As I relate this story
I’m embarrassed
but not discouraged

if we grow through humility
maybe by retelling this tale

I’ve grown just a little closer
to becoming
a fool who never aims his toe--
or better yet:
one who doesn’t even want to kick.

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© 2022, Michael R. Patton

A Good Fake

author's note:

"One dog barks, one hundred dogs bark."
            -- old Chinese proverb


A GOOD FAKE

When I heard their growl
I started to growl--angry at how
they attacked beliefs I held dear--

I barked and growled
until I finally heard myself
and realized
I sounded much like those I criticized.

So I decided to work
to keep a cool calm--
with my unshakable peace
I’d defy their barrage
of false claims
and cruel accusations.

But though I’ve clipped my tongue
I can’t stop myself
from growling and barking inside--
lower instinct still rules.

Nonetheless
I maintain this calm face
because
to let the mad dog out
would only add to the tumult
and do nothing to help
raise us up.

Good intentions--but what a fake!
Sometimes I feel so ashamed

but then, in my humility
I cease to growl inside:

for a moment at least
I’ve raised my higher instinct
to its rightful place.

© 2019, Michael R. Patton
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