The High-Pitched Voice

author’s note:

“Life is woof.”
         -- anonymous dog


THE HIGH-PITCHED VOICE

As I travel this convoluted path
I’m accompanied by a strong dog
that growls when it senses danger.

But if a voice inside then says “go forward”
I’ll force myself to ignore the dog
and accept unreasonable risk

while enduring people
who see my way as haphazard.

Yes, I worry
when the dog begins to whimper in fear
but
a dream once promised me
if I went where I needed to go
no matter where that might be
I’d eventually arrive at a garden.

When I awoke I felt a deep desire
to find that paradise.
But how I could know where I needed to go?
I would not go until I knew.

A voice I did not recognize
then said:
“stand and walk and do as instructed.”

That sudden turn spun my head.
Hooked by mystery and myth--
I decided to trust.
I stood up and began to walk.

Obviously
I haven’t yet found the garden
but now I can see
this twisted path
spirals up a mountain.

So today I still feel
a grand sense of purpose.

Nonetheless
sometimes when I’m led into trouble
I will join with the dog
and bark back at
that maddening high-pitched voice.

mythsteps · The High-Pitched Voice

Common Courage: poetry book
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© 2023, Michael R. Patton

The Deep Truth

author's note:

I think we dream in order to see the truth.


THE DEEP TRUTH

Science has demonstrated:

if two people--any two--
stay in a small room together
for more than twenty-four hours
their hearts will began to beat in synch--
yes, their hearts will be in harmony!

A finding which seems to go against
what we both know, based on experience:
close quarters cause friction, tension.

Well, yes:
within the limitations of this space
I often feel at odds with you
as I struggle with all the conflict
gnarling in my head.

But then
in the peace of a quiet moment
I’ll hear my heart again
and once again realize
the truth of our deep harmony.

myth steps blog
dream steps blog
you tube channel
© 2022, Michael R. Patton