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Heroes Journey/Recognizing the Enemy
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Heroes Journey/Recognizing the Enemy |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California 
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Heroes Journey “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Caught in the realm of one of those purposes one day, I found myself cheering for my enemy. An enemy far stronger than me. An enemy I had loathed all my life. An enemy I was taught would only place chains on me and make me miserable. A product of our times, enemy of my enemy and all that, for a time we were brought together. Fought side by side against a far greater foe. While I was wounded and easily cast aside in this battle, my enemy stood fast against our shared adversary. This man, whom I had took pleasure in hating all my life, and whom I thought took equal pleasure in living solely for my persecution, proved far better at his craft than I. Where I was slow and quickly discarded, he was swift and sure of feet. Where I was fearful and hesitant, He never slowed his attack, nor took his eyes off our foe. Where I chose to stay on the ground after its first greeting, he got up each time he met it, again and again and again returning to the fray. In what I deemed to be the final clash, my enemy’s brilliant sword pierced the belly of the beast, which slithered back into the dark waters. That he will be back one day to lay destruction upon these lands again, there is no question. But for now, my enemy had saved me. In turning back towards me after the fighting had ended, I thought surely to lay attack upon me, my enemy only smiled. Not a gloating, arrogant smile. Not a really joyous smile either, but a smile of pity maybe? The kind you give a puppy who’s been struck by a car when you know you cannot save them. I was about to jump up then to let him know I was ok, for I mistook this look for worry over my well-being, but that was when I noticed how badly he was injured. Blood poured down his side and ran from his face. The hands at his side he turned towards me and I could see he bled from them too. I understood the look then, and a deep shame came over me. This human body wouldn’t hold him much longer. He knew I was fine as well, and yet that smile. Then, he looked up and he was gone, while I lay still on the ground, untried, unjudged, unscathed. Sole survivor of the deadly altercation, I get to lay the story any way I want to the people I tell it. I get many pats on the back these days and we celebrate the anniversaries of a monster chased to the depths now. I mention my enemy who saved me from time to time in the telling, but mostly just embellish the fact it was me who rose up and walked away, with a little help from him. Sometimes I even convince myself of that. Yes, this is the season I get to play hero. A hero who never looks towards that dark water though, for he is alone now, and he knows what waits there. Michael Anderson 4/20/2021 |
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