Outside

Outside there is sunshine and grass
The smell of cooked food wafting through my nose
There is music of birdsongs and human chatter

Outside lays a field of possibilities
If I have the courage to step outside,
I can explore these possibilities.

Beasts camouflaged in sweetness
Keep me in my keep,
Where the crackle of a glowing fire keeps me warm and cozy,

Safe.

Inside.

I want to taste joy,
For free, everlasting.

But, alas! In the end I come home to a pain, a hunger,

Wanting.

A void of ideals unmatched,
Expectations unmet.

I sit by the void in my keep.

Ruminating.

Pondering.

Until at last the only thing left is acceptance.

Stay in my keep,
And know nothing of the Outside,
Save for the rich stories of those that come to visit.

Outside is the world
It is pain and beauty,
Loss and love.

All possibilities rolled into one dreamy painting.

If I go Outside I may find
A broken heart,
A waterfall of tears

Confusion.

Oblivion.

Chaos.

And joy.

And love.

And freedom.

A love I could have never known
A passion set ablaze
A life of joyous freedom.

There is no joy without sorrow,
No meaning without confusion,
No order without chaos.

Acceptance.

There is only acceptance.

Or else,

I will be in my keep till I die,
Having not seen, not loved, not lived
My life’s true potential.

That is the greatest tragedy of all.

Photo by Hamed Saber