Fortunate Descent

author’s note:

I think all human beings are courageous.  To some degree.


FORTUNATE DESCENT

When the overseers scanned our group
they saw my legs shaking and realized
I needed this trip—this ordeal—
more than any of the others.

Now as they turn the crank
my little basket slowly lowers
into the deep ravine.  Slowly

the rock walls disappear
behind gray cloud
and I begin to hear
a strange bass murmur
echoing up from below.

Down there, I will explore for all
and with luck, return to give a report
on what terrors and delights
one can find in the dark depths.

I am filled with cold dread
as the light continues to dim.
Yet at the same time
my heart thrills in anticipation:

on this trip of discovery
I’ll be forced to find my strength—
maybe afterwards I’ll finally accept
I’m not nearly as weak as I think.

mythsteps · Fortunate Descent

Common Courage: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2024, Michael R. Patton

A Hungry Man

author’s note:

I’ve always been hungry.


A HUNGRY MAN

Having failed to find a way
to distinguish himself
through normal group activity
our hero decided on a project
where success depended solely
on his own effort and resolve:

he would prove the strength of his endurance
by starving himself.
Not so much as a mere morsel would pass his lips
for as long as he could resist
the temptation.

So after leaving a note
that fellow lay himself down
in a dark cell below
and welcomed the pain
of claws tearing at his stomach walls—

an agony he withstood
until his digestive system finally
stopped sending messages
and grew cobwebs down the tract.

For days
our wasted hero lay curled on the floor—
pleased with how he’d repeatedly said “no”
to that stubborn demand.
Nonetheless
after all the failure in his past
he felt he needed to prove more.
But what more could he prove?
Well, he could open the scariest door of all:
Death.

Fortunately, at this point
a team of experts
saved him by saying:
if we allow you to go on
we’ll be somewhat responsible
for a loss that helps no one.
So here—come on
have some chicken soup.

Just the excuse he needed:
our skeletal hero could now stop
and feel proud of his willingness
to sacrifice all for achievement.

But he didn’t boast of his triumph—
hunger had taught him humility.
Besides, he’d already silenced
his biggest critic:
himself.
Now he could accept
being an average human being.

But maybe he wasn’t so average now.

During the darkest part of the ordeal
his gray eyes had shown
with a deep silvery glow.
No, that light didn’t last
however
associates now sense
a strange power emanating from him—
even as he ambles
in those scuffed brown shoes.

Nonetheless
none of those who marvel
at the change in him
have chosen to starve themselves
as he did.

Perhaps they understand:

Daily mundane life provides
every hungry human being
with plenty of opportunity
to lift
to lift
to lift
themselves up.

mythsteps · A Hungry Man

Survival: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2024, Michael R. Patton

The Undercurrent

author’s note:

"Going with the flow" sounds so easy.


THE UNDERCURRENT

When I finally stopped to listen
to what goes on down below the boards...

I began to detect
a powerful undercurrent
moving quietly
beneath my little boat.

Now, after years
of real-life experimentation
I feel I can state with confidence:

though I move the wheel
this way and that
the current’s the one
actually steering this vessel.
I may plan, but that force decides--
it knows how my spirit needs to grow.
And in service to that purpose
it may take me
to the very places
I was warned not to go.

I was warned: avoid the rocks

I was warned: avoid the mud

I was warned: avoid the depths.

Of course, those old instructions
have a deep hold
so when I see where
the current's pulling me
I may start to flail and thrash

hoping to avoid the rapids
hoping to avoid the dead pool
hoping to avoid the deep channel.

Yet at the same time
I’ll fight to stop myself
from fighting the current

not just because I’ve learned
it's useless

and not just because I believe I need
the education that comes from
struggling with the cataracts of hardship.

No, I’ll confess
to an aim less noble than that:
I wish to realize my ego-dreams
of coolly staring into danger
with a glint in my eye that says
I will not fail this test.

Common Courage: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2022, Michael R. Patton