MID LIFE RIPPLES
There comes a time
In the middle of a man's life
When the quiet lake
he found comfort in,
suddenly becomes too calm,
almost stagnant.
He dreams of ocean waves
and river cascades.
He yearns to prove himself
ready for a new adventure.
He throws a pebble in the water
causing ripples in his reflection.
They excite him, entice him,
encouraging him to throw larger stones.
The raised flow higher and longer lasting.
So he continues; distorting his image until
he’s not even recognizable to himself.
Each stone larger than the one before.
Making the ripples so forceful,
they have become the waves he longed for.
Eventually he plays out all his energy,
The heavy stones weighing him down.
He knows he should stop but he denies.
He is addicted to the emotional arousal-
the feeling of power and pride.
He imagines the lake anticipates each pebble.
The waves needing him to exist and flourish.
His ego boosted, his importance proved.
Then nature plays its consequences.
His confidence is taken from him.
The waves he so fondly roused turn tides.
Threaten to take away his control.
To suck him in and pull him under.
He realizes almost to late
that he started an adventure he was
not prepared to endure.
The risks were greater than his faith.
He finds the strength in fear to retreat.
But not completely.
He admires the diminishing waves from afar
as he waits for the lake to regain its calm.
Carefully holding a pebble in his palm.
