Through Ordinary Eyes

Through ordinary eyes, it does appear that individual efforts can produce specific results, but what does not ordinarily appear is the fact that the results were a product of an equation in which you were not the sole factor.  There is even the lesser apparent aspect of named “results” being further effects in a right-angled-reality, and the fact that effects are what are produced by results.

(This is all hard indeed to fit into words, and I have no idea what its effect may be on random listeners.)

A man from Siam said,
“I don't give a damn,”
and a man from Wheeling said,
“That still shows his feelings.” 

But the man from Siam said,
“I don't give a damn,”
and a man from Berne said,
“You've expressed your concern.” 

And the man from Siam said,
“Look, I really don't give a good god damn,
and this includes your comments as well.” 
And a woman from Woodstock proclaimed, “Extreme Gridlock.”

A simple young lad from Redland once took a trip to that illustrious metropolis of the Yellow Apple, and returned some weeks later looking quite worse for the wear.  After having a fresh drink, and rearranging his tattered clothing, he sat with his friends and made these comments regarding his adventure.  He said that the Yellow-Big-Time was interesting at first, but that everyone there seemed totally engaged in constant yapping and endless debate over the smallest of matters.  He said that they weren't bad people, just boring, and frustrating.  But, returning home became his real problem; passing through the elusive area of Unincorporated Bluefield.

He said that he seemed to understand the people there a little better than he did those in the Golden Apple, and yet, he said, “They moved about like puffs of smoke; like frightened or frightening shadows.  They would whine in one ear, and shout in my other; they badgered me with moans and threats, cried on my shoulders till my new suit melted at the seams, and before I could leave, they stole my shoes, and shrank my soul.”  All his friends nodded, and agreed, “It’s always good to be home.”

When I speak of “kingdoms” who can feel the people move within; when I speak of Man, who can sense Life stirring about.

There was once a land where no one ruled, and an adjoining land where no one obeyed.  The priests and philosophers of the two lands got together and decided that if the two peoples would simply swap places all would be fixed.  (And again the voice in back pleaded, “I asked you to gimme a break.”)

J.