Shadow of the Deep

[incomplete 12/7/10]

I love those
//
tentacles chase mineshaft cart
//
wheel puddles ooze
glimmer
//
puddles ooze by the floor,
covering the tracks leading off
into the dark shaft of time
somewhere beyond the rim of darkness,
I can hear the ocean tides pushing, writhing
gasping to be relieved,
the ever tiring work of the tides
if this cart will make it through the tracks
if the water isn't too deep
if the wheels won't warp
if the light is just right
if the leviathan doesn't catch me

now the dark blue envelops my hands
like the ether I push through it
bubbled cities lie below
on mountains and valleys
their metals shimmer and rainbow prisms form on outer shells
of these oceanic gems
vastness of their size, majesty,
only rivaled by the infinite distances of the sea,
though I see their luster,
my strokes bring me none the closer
though sea monsters cruise by
dark and swift silhouettes
the power of their every stroke,
brings unspeakable terror to my heart
if they should turn against me[...]
hundreds of feet long, only shadow
swimming the distance of that near city in but a moment,
when I cannot seem to approach it any faster

vain are the ways of man
But not all die this way.
Some never see the beast,
nor the slowing of the clock,
tick tock tick tock tick--
there is time yet,
to fulfill those primary goals
tick--
"Alas, poor Yorick" he smiles
No deserving, no earning,
no undo's, redo's, or no can do's
no preparation for death
for he will "kindly stop for me"
and take me to the city
or escort me to the creatures' mouths
gnashing teeth met with sick cries of "not yet!"
how fearful it makes us to see one leave,
not ready, still crying,
"more time! not yet!"
when by day their vanity was matched only by--
their feats, possessions, honors
still fearing the unknown
still fearing death
and their fear is gut wrenching to us
if this person who is mightier than I is so afraid
what fear will I have when the time comes?
and if I have not fear,
yet they have so much the more in all ways
what foolishness do I live by?

Our ways are hollow
made full only words and gestures
but they are exposed when the beasts lurk
the shadows approach
and Death whispers, "Tick"
then seals his lips.
All our time a petty waste
Stripped of artificial light
when the darkness envelopes
and our being is laid to waste
by the mouth of the beast
swallowed up

And who is there to hold to?
Some sail only for what they wish to see:
This man explores the lands to the east
finds interesting peoples, cultures, governments
Another man discovers the lands to the south
finds interesting perceptions, observations, derivations
A woman leaves port for the west
finds herself, new choices, adventure
Another woman sets sail for the north
finds particulars, networks, and warm hearts
But these are all for nought.

There is one who sails according to charts,
to find what is both wise and true and one.
But the current position means,
tempests, arctic flurries, ravenous creatures,
hardship and tribulation, all be necessary
to make it to the destination.
But things will soften,
for it is only the current position,
that makes a future of rough seas.
But what lies in wait,
on the other side of dark shores and darker days
be worth the troubles.
The best waters, the best fruits,
ease of sailing, for some time.
And though tempests may come,
there is always the better side of the world
with fairer ways and lazy days
[though it still be the same waters as before]