...man, Oslo, I wish there was something profound or constructive I could say in response to that, besides the vague condolences or reassurances your piece already mentioned. But I will say that you've inspired me... I needed the writing gates to unlock and this may help.

-------------------

Find the Real

Seated on the bench, alone on either side
stared wordlessly past the menagerie of faceless heads
watched the screen while it shared
the secrets of the meaning behind existence itself
the man before it dared his audience to find
the reality, the beauty, the truth
situated somewhere within
the veil of lies and deceit they face daily

It was not pointlessness
to bear mute witness to the demonstration
he spoke the truth
and I know it... we all know it
even if we didn't bob our heads in agreement
even if we stood up and denied with one voice
we know it is real

"How did I get here?"
"Why am I here?"
"What is good?"
"What is evil?"
"What is truth?"
"What is real?"

He pointed out and rightly so
that even the least of us
will ask these most profound questions
questions the universe will not answer
and so we must for ourselves

He asked me to stand up
and I did, because he needed me
and perhaps he needs me
more than I realize

Now he sits at home, before his own screen
and his family has moved on to other things
and I wonder if he feels alone

He was close to giving up so long ago
and I wonder what drives him to continue now

Maybe he found what's real.