April 2014

I have always dreamed of being the cause of romantic contention
perhaps a fight to the death for my hand
capturing princes’ hearts like a siren
embarking on daring adventures
being the Hero

In my fantasies I am venturing the woods and feel at home in a castle
there are swords and bows, and I am an expert of both.
I am taught the ways of magic by my grizzled and experienced master
I embark on a quest to defeat evil
and the excitement never ceases

I want what is portrayed in the stories sometimes so bad
that my heart is ready to burst with longing for something
I can never acquire

Yet I have come to realize that I possess more of an adventure story than most
and through the hundreds of fantasy novels that I have devoured in my life
none ever dwell on this stage of my story
that all protagonists must go through:

Training.

Though I do not dwell in woods
I frolic through forests of words
the trees are in the form of books
I wield the sword of logic and am armed with the quiver of Natural Law
I am protected by the armor of God
virtue is my shield

My enemies have not been in the form of tyrants
of wicked kings or mages
but in the form of self-doubt
of procrastination,
law briefs
of Resistance
and I am learning that one must conquer the evils inside themselves
before they can attempt to change the depravity of the world

Though there hasn’t been any romance
I am aware of the brave princes in my midst
of the rebels and fighters and nomads
of the elegant princesses
all learning and preparing
as I am
to achieve their divine destinies

I have been mothered by an angel
and instructed by wise warriors
grizzled with experience but possessing gentle hearts
they are masters of their arts
not of magic, but of the laws of God and of man
Instead of crafting potions
they conjure with the sorcery of words
They have stretched me in so many ways and have expected so much of me
that I cannot truthfully say that my life has never been in peril

I have been trained and taught as any hero has.

I am recognizing the role I play in the battles to come
and I am coming to accept my responsibility to the future
I am enjoying creating my legend
though I still have much to learn

While ending this chapter of my tale and turning the page
to whatever lies ahead
I may declare this fervently:
It has been quite an adventure.
I look forward to the next.