The KING is Coming: To Lorace With Love
Oct 21 '02
The Bottom Line The King is coming. Do you know him?
As I have walked through life, I have noticed that there are many kinds of people. Most of the people that everyone talks about are the ones who are in the limelight. The flamboyant, loud, offensive, verbal, most publicized- these are just some of the people that always seem to make the list of "WHO EVERYONE SEEMS TO NOTICE".
As in a good theater production where the ones who do the most work are rarely ever recognized, so it is in the rest of life.
Here on Epinions there are those who pick at everything that people say or do. There are those who become TOP REVIEWER, ADVISOR, CATEGORY LEAD, many of them holding numerous titles.
There are those who are seen and noticed all of the time, like a social clique of sorts. However, behind the scenes there is a core group of people whom very few notice. Those who form the support and quiet consistency that makes it possible for others to achieve notoriety.
One of these people is LORACE. As I was listening to a beautiful song last night, this story came to me.
It is a gift for you, LORACE. May you all enjoy it as well.
------------------------------------
THE KING IS COMING
Once upon a time in the great land of Terra there was a gentle beauty. Christened Poesy Vanquish at her birth, Poesy was a quiet, gentle person. Her fragile beauty did not shout at people when they walked by. In fact, very few people even noticed Poesy.
Poesy did not mind, well, generally. She had learned to be in the background of most people's lives. She often comforted herself with writing, speaking words of rhyme, crying at the beauty of a sunset or a work of realistic art, and enjoying time with her one special gift.
Long ago, when she could not quite remember, she had become the humble owner of a brilliant golden apple. Whenever she became discouraged, or frustrated, she would gently open the clasp of her precious treasure. Once opened, the lid would reveal music from another world. The soul-cleansing music would swell around her, bringing her peace and giving her the will to go on once again.
It was a gift worth more than any jewels, baubles, or the attention that others always got and Poesy never seemed to have. Since she was a small girl, Poesy would comfort herself imagining a great king had given her this gift. Some day she would have to thank him.
----------
It just so happened that there were stories in the land of Terra. These were stories that some clung on to with a glow on their faces and stars in their eyes, and others mocked and scorned, refusing to believe them.
The stories went something like this:
Long ago, in the beginning of time, there was a Great One. This Great One was so full of love that he celebrated this love of beauty by creating it everywhere he went.
One day, he decided to create a world that paralleled the beauty of the home in which he dwelt. Fully of awesome majesty and breathtaking glory, the Great One then filled this world with the most precious of his creations- his friends.
These friends were regarded with the highest honor of all of the Great One's creations. They were graced with the ability to choose to love the Great One. They were graced with the ability to rule the land created for their habitation. This honor had not been given to anyone else in the land of Terra.
The people of the land of Terra enjoyed a companionship with the Great One that inspired the envy of another. The new rulers of Terra had treasures and privileges that they did not realize- until they were tricked into giving over their rule to the Evil One.
Now the remaining time until Terra was destroyed would be spent with pain and evil never intended for it. Instead of joy and contentment, pride and desire for self-degrading behavior began to surface in the friends of the great one and many of the generations to follow.
This decision led to a sorrow and emptiness in the citizens of Terra which carried through all of the generations. Sorrow and suffering compounded the hole in their hearts which had originally been designed to be filled by the unity with the Great One.
The theories of the origins of the Evil One were many. Some lost themselves in conjecture of how they could do it better than the Great One did. Others were content to realize their suffering and try to find a way back to the Great One.
Many years of suffering, selfishness, and evil passed. Through the years a thread of seekers of the Great One experienced many things. It was through this thread of believers in the Great One that a miraculous thing happened.
The Great One sent his own personal son. This son came to Terra with strange sayings and unfamiliar words.
Many people loved the son of the Great One and hung on his every word. Some people doubted preferring their own stories of Terra instead of the Great One's son.
The people of Terra were greatly divided over the son of the Great One. The words of the son were very strange and different to the people of the land. To some they were like water in a desert. To others, his words were like thorns in their pursuit of self.
After several years of the Great One's son telling the people of a way back to the Great One, the Evil One, sensing the battle about to be waged over the lease of Terra stirred up the people of Terra to murder the son of the Great One. The Evil One did not want to give up his control of Terra.
At last, the Evil One triumphed and the son of the Great One was murdered brutally. However, the land of Terra was rocked when the son of the Great One returned once again to the land of Terra. Bearing the scars of his suffering which were supposed to be especially obvious in his hands and wrists, he claimed that he had won back the lease to Terra at great expense, and that anyone that wanted to come back with him to the land of his father need only believe and follow him.
With that, he left the land with the promise of returning at a time unknown even to him, but only his father knew. After that time, he would rule and Terra would be restored once again to the place of joy it was designed to be.
-----------
"I think it is rot," Delilah spat out as she carefully arranged her brilliant blue dress on her shoulders.
"Of course it is," replied Gazelle, the full red skirt swishing noisily as the light caught the beads as she turned sending shafts of red light around the room.
"Can you imagine anyone so ignorant to believe something so obviously ridiculous? I think that the Followers of the Son are just using this as a ploy to take over Terra. AFter all, if THAT happens this world will be a living HELL. Delilah modeled in front of the mirror and then stomped her foot in anger.
"POESY! I do not LIKE this one either. Get me another dress. I want to be chosen queen of the ball today and I MUST look better than any of the other girls."
Poesy stifled a sigh as she walked toward Delilah to retrieve the blue dress. She gasped in surprise as she found herself struck in the face with the heap of shimmering blue.
Her employer had mercy on her. She really needed the job. She did not REALLY mind being paid almost nothing to take this abuse. After all, it was her job.
With dragging feet, she walked toward the huge display of glamorous dresses. Exasperated, she glanced over at the pile of discarded jewels and colors. She did not see green. Perhaps Delilah would like a green dress.
"I do not know what those stupid Followers think they are waiting for. While they are busy believing fantasies about a dead King of Terra, I will be queen of the ball! I know that Prince William will choose me. He can't NOT choose me." Delilah donned the green dress held out for her by her handmaid.
" Well, if there WAS a king, I know that he would not bother with drudgery like those Followers, anyway. He would choose people like us- with class and position. If the King ever was to show up he would surely choose ME, Don't you think, Poesy?" The other two women nodded assent as Jezzy raised her hand to emphasize her point.
Poesy hung her head in shame as she forced herself to nod in agreement, in hope of not losing her job.
----------
It had been a trying day. Poesy tried so hard to be patient, but sometimes SHE needed to talk to someone. With so little time to nurture herself, Poesy took out a sheet of paper.
As she sat at her tiny little desk, her pen in hand, Poesy opened the golden apple and let the life giving music wash over her.
Inspired and thankful, she penned the following:
"My Dear King,
It has been another difficult day. I know that you are busy, but I just want to take another opportunity to thank you for what you did.
Life here on Terra is unbearable sometimes. Some people even end their lives early just to get away. When I feel like that, I just open my golden apple and let the music cleanse my soul.
I guess some people would think I am stupid for writing to you, but I just know that you exist. I also know that you gave me this golden apple to hang on to until you come for me when you return.
It is getting harder and harder to find those who believe in you anymore. I just wanted to let you know that I am still here and even if I am the only one left, I will be waiting for you.
With love and thankfulness,
Poesy
PS I wish I had another name to sign that was more beautiful for you, but I don't, I am sorry."
Feeling lighter than before, Poesy walked the all too familiar path to the box where she posted her letters to the King. She never included a return address, not wanting to get them back, but she felt better that she posted them anyway. She felt better just believing that they reached the king.
------------------
The time had arrived. The annual gala event was about to begin. After months of preparation, gold, silver, refinery beyond imagination, and other touches of opulence were in place, the dull roar of anticipation could be heard throughout the city.
Terra looked forward to the yearly journey to the City of Peace for this event. Each lady in waiting would dress up extravagantly, anticipating her favorite prince asking her to dance. Some of them would be given in promise of marriage, others would not be so fortunate.
The competition was fierce, and the green eyes of jealousy shone red.
"Look at her. What does SHE think she is going to get here?" Gazelle sneered as she nodded over in Poesy's direction. "It is not like anyone will even LOOK at her. She just does not belong here. She is probably one of those Followers." Gazelle spat out the last word as if it were poison.
"REALLY! I wonder if she OWNS another dress. " Jezzy mocked as she preened her feathered headdress for the fifteenth time in succession. " What a loser."
" Girls, if Poesy wants to humiliate herself by trying to attend an event clearly meant only for women like us, then let her. It is not like she will take away any of the princes from us, right?" The mocking laughter cut through the room like a knife.
Poesy pretended not to hear, but she knew it was directed at her. Every year, she had managed to sneak into the marriage-scoping event and hide up against the wall, barely being noticed.
Sighing in fantasy, she thought of her prince coming for her someday. A tear of doubt slipped down her cheek as she fought the lump in her throat. Who was she trying to kid?
As she slipped farther away from the critical eye of the debutantes, Poesy vowed to hold her head high. She reached in her pocket and felt the comforting smoothness of her golden apple. If the gala got to be too much, she would slip away and enjoy the caresses of the music gift given to her.
-------------
Suddenly, the hum of conversation in the room fell silent as the swell of music filled the room. Brilliantly jeweled women stood erect as they anticipated the matchmaking event that was soon to take place.
Like shopping in a market, the handsome pampered princes strutted around the room, teasing the anxious girls with their reluctance to choose a mate for the night.
Occasional squeals of delight broke through the din as newly jeweled fingers rose in the air to announce their victorious engagement.
Poesy fought the rising bile in her stomach. What WAS she doing here? Why did she slip into this event year after year? What was she hoping for?
Head hanging in despair, Poesy decided to find the nearest escape from this gaudy nightmare.
As she turned to slip away from the chaotic scene, she was startled with a noise so loud that she had to turn to see just what had happen.
Poesy raised her eyes to see a most unbelievable scene. The bright lights had been dulled to the point of darkness. Up at the top of the descending staircase was a brilliant light. Centered in that light was the most beautiful man that Poesy had ever seen.
With hair like wool and garments unlike anything she had ever seen before, this man standing at the top of the staircase had a regal bearing that she had never seen in any of the royalty of Terra. As far away as he was, she could see that his eyes were like coals of fire, yet the kindness there was so intense that she started to cry.
Clearly this was someone new to Terra's gala event. The crown on his head was magnificent. The light shone from his face. The entire crowd was mesmerized.
"It is time for the wedding." The voice was unlike anything ever heard- reminiscent of enormous waterfalls, his voice dominated the room like a trumpet blast.
Step by step, this royal man descended the stairway. His eyes glanced around the room, stopping to rest on each person. Each time his eyes rested, either a person looked down in shame or stood up in defiance.
Sounds of intermittent rustling went through the room as certain ladies in waiting shifted their positions, spellbound by the arrival of the unexpected guest.
Poesy had wanted to leave, but at the same time she was mesmerized. She just could not stop staring at this amazing person walking through the room, lighting it up wherever he went.
This man continued to walk slowly through the room, no one moving a muscle to hinder or inquire of him.
As he moved closer to the area where Poesy was standing, she could get a closer glimpse at this most beautiful man. With a presence like the sun, his majestic royalty was tempered with the most beautiful expression of love and compassion.
Quite simply, Poesy had never seen anyone like him. Neither had anyone else.
As he moved closer to the area where Poesy stood, she found herself beginning to shake. The closer he came, the more difficult it became to control the violent shaking that was taking over her body.
One by one, each person received the caress of the fire-lit eyes. Some fell to the ground, others just stood stoic, jaws agape.
A few steps closer, and Poesy could no longer look up at the man of royalty. She fell toward the ground, but before she hit the hard floor, a powerful hand gently lifted her frail body up.
Great strength came to her, and Poesy look up into the deepest eyes she had ever seen. Swimming in those eyes was majesty, compassion, justice, knowledge, wisdom, creativity, laughter, sadness, and the most intense love that Poesy had ever imagined existed.
"I believe you are waiting for me?" The statement caressed her with a half question hidden in it.
His hand holding her up, this amazing man stared deep into Poesy's eyes.
You.... are... the.....KKK-King? she asked shakily.
With laughter that rang through the room, the King bowed deeply to Poesy and asked with boyish sincerity, Come dance with me?
His laughter was contagious. Poesy nodded as joy bubbled from her belly and gushed from her mouth in perfect harmony with the King's.
The King held out his hand and asked," Do you have my Apple of Gold?"
Poesy quickly pulled the precious apple out of her pocket and the King lifted the top of the apple. A music never heard before swirled through the room. With the grace of a dancer born to dance, the King held Poesy in his arms and spun around the room on the now empty dance floor.
The joy was inexplicable. The experience seemed to last for years and yet only minutes. At last, the King, holding her still in his arms, asked," I have a wedding to go to. Would you like to join me as my guest?"
Poesy could only nod with great enthusiasm.
She faltered for a moment and haltingly asked," Dear King, can you give me another name, for Poesy sounds so, well, unworthy of your presence."
She hung her head in shame.
The King thought for a moment, with a sincere concern through his eyes, yet a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Dear Poesy, your name suits you so well. It is another form of Carole , meaning, 'to sing' or 'joyous song'. Surely you do not oppose this?
Tears shining through her eyes of adoration, Poesy shook her head, accepting her name once and for all, love hugging her being. Even her name was a gift to her- a precious gift she never knew she had.
The King held out his arm and with glowing happiness she never knew possible, Poesy joined her King, her long awaited King by his side.
Together they walked up the stairway toward the door. As they opened the door to leave, a sudden swift movement broke the stillness of the room. Jezzy ran up the stairway and posed with great calculation in front of the door.
"Excuse me, sir, um, King, I would like to join you at the wedding. I have earned it, after all, I have talked with Poesy, given my used dresses to the poor, shared my food with the hired help. Surely I am coming with you."
The King turned around, looked deep into Jezzy's eyes searching her soul.
"I am sorry, I don't know you.
With that, he walked out the door. The last thing that the people left in the room saw was a nail scarred hand reaching in to pull it shut after him.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
Caprig
|
 - Top 200 |
|
Location: NE US- 2 email me delete REMOVETHIS
Reviews written: 450
Trusted by: 214 members
About Me:
Product-Evaluation/Information-Specialist. Too Busy to Be KIND to Others? You are TOO BUSY.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.