#3 The Cauldron

The explosion of colour beneath his feet. They boy looked down on the Supreme Being’s so called creations. Elevated to a position far above them he looked down on them literally and metaphorically. Their savage and vile behavior has remained the only constant that he knew of. Their natural instincts to act like beasts was something they never acknowledged. Forever claiming to be better…..no – the best in existence, boasting possession of an intelligence triumphed by none other than their Creator. This claim however rarely holds true as even the savage wolf exhibits more pride of their self than these beings.
The pool of colour continued swirling. Continually metamorphosing….the creations continued to indulge in their savagery as they ripped advances in their ‘civil’ nature from each other’s skin as they reverted to a primal state. They felled the weakest or the strongest- in mutiny of his strength- as they ganged up on them individually, inflicting pain on their ‘brethren’ – trampling over not only his existence on this material plane but also that which cannot be explained. His hopes, his aspirations, his pride, his principles and most importantly his self-respect.
‘Why? Why do they pander to this disgraceful behavior?’
‘How am I one of them?’
‘……..What colour would I contribute to this swirling cauldron of madness?’
The boy stood up; and gazed down once more into the cauldron. His eyes were vacant, his expression calm. He knew the only thing he had to offer to the world. Corruption. He succumbed to the aching in his heart and let go……..
A loud splash……..followed by bubbling. The madness stopped at the arrival of a Greater Evil. All was silent save the homely sound of the cauldron spewing toxic fumes into the air. In but a few seconds, that too stopped as time came to a standstill on Earth.
Everything had reverted to black………………

#2 The Dove

When a dove begins to associate with crows, its feathers remain white but its heart grows black.
We like to think of ourselves as free beings. Living life the way we want to. Except for the fact that in reality we quite often live life however we want to. The difference is duly noted by an observer- a teacher, parent or perhaps a friend- but rarely by the person himself.
Teenage.  One can be described as ‘green’. Also to symbolise envy, greed or ambition. A turning point of sorts. An abyss of negativity overcome with patience, experience and time. Where one is – boiling, screaming, and continually metamorphosing. Where one begins to detest being restricted by conditions which the imposers have no intentions of ever applying on themselves. A prelude to the future perhaps? Where the rich overpower the poor. Where chauvinistic pigs criticise others, and fail to live up to the standards they set. All bark and no bite. A hollow entity comprising of empty words.
Time. A friend or foe? An endless debate. Yet another labelled as a matter of perspective.
With time however, there is reflection – most can attest to that. Fibres of our being yearn for connection. We see ourselves torn open, with no say in it whatsoever.  And yet, our protests are all but in name. Captivated. Allured. We feel alive. We become addicted to this ‘living’. Where bonds leave vulnerabilities. And with it a whole new experience to be trodden upon. The risk of pain grows and with it the yearning for more bonds. The abyss is no longer convoluted as before- it becomes shallow; it’s depth fathomable.
People say that pain is the strongest emotion in the world.
But love is the most painful thing in the world.
It therefore follows that love is the strongest emotion in the world.
Be it by blood or by brotherhood, the fact remains.
And yet, when these sacred bonds are violated, change occurs – a metamorphosis of sorts. One day, we look into the mirror to see a stranger - an emotionless, cold, calculating, manipulative and self-centred person. The perfect shell to a wounded self. There is no more pain. It seems to have frozen with the change. His gaze completely indifferent. He looks not upon the world with renewed enthusiasm and vigour with each stride. To describe it is cumbersome. His gaze could be said to be that of a professional gambler gauging the merits of a thoroughbred at the derby. Like a puppeteer setting up shop again, bonds reattach like strings- never as strong as before. Thinner.  And stretched fine to avoid attachment.
Time passes. The metamorphosis continues. As does the introspection. And with the advent of an epiphany the identity of the stranger is no longer a mystery.
 He is......me?

“As I stare silently to ruminate on what could've been, I try to forget what has been and try to focus on the here and now. The path is difficult, and the destination uncertain. But as the clichéd saying goes, 'it's not the destination that matters'. Its how you go and who you go with that makes all the difference.”

#1 Why?

“Why do you dislike meeting new people?”

Of course I don’t dislike meeting new people. I dislike the idea of adding more people to my life for reasons very simple. People always complain about not having enough time. And this complaint is argued against by the concepts of ‘effective time management’ and ‘proper planning’. Time is always there for people who make the effort or so they say. But really now, let’s sit down and think about it rationally. Is there really enough time for everything we have to do and everyone we wish to be with? I mean, sure – we do waste a lot of time each day but who would want to live a life without some breathing room. A life where everything is so meticulously planned out and live out to an almost obsessive tendency for perfection. A life without the surprises of life. A life devoid of the little joys and tiny bumps that life offers us – each an opportunity to mold our very spirit. Different flames breathing down on our white flame spirit, each trying to leave a mark in its own way.

Coming back – we have so many people in our lives already. And getting to know a person – in and out, through and through – is no simple task. People have a tendency to throw curve balls at you and every turning and crossing. Just when you think you’ve figured them out, they surprise you in the most strangest of ways – by doing something you wouldn’t think they would, trying something they were afraid of, failing to uphold their principles in the rotten society that exists today….. The list goes on. People don’t stop. Life doesn’t stop. In some ways everyone has to admit that it is indeed a marathon. A never-ending one with no beginning or end. Only a middle. Each leg of the race can change both you and the people you already know either to a large degree or minimally. But change remains the one and only constant in life. Not people. Change. The change in people. The change in our surroundings. And most importantly, the changes within you. Each day is a fresh one, each time you talk to someone you know – a new experience. It’s never the same. Not if you pay attention. As the clock ticks life away, principles change, outlooks change, and character changes – for better or for worse.

With all these things already going on in one’s life – with way too many people to make connections with – with a myriad of complexities to solve – with questions with no answers and answers with no questions – with doubts, fear, and regret – why would any rational being want to add fuel to the fire? Why would you willfully cut down what little time you have to sort out what is already present? Is that not just another way of running away? By forgetting that which we held dear to move onto the unknown, as a twisted sense of temporary relief emerges. Of course, the cycle repeats. Eventually the ‘new’ of today become the ‘old’ of tomorrow and ‘life’ – if you can call it that – continues like usual.