A Travel in Myself

I suddenly come to
and find myself
walking along
through a forest.

Images and visions
come to me
as I travel
down the path.

I see one
helping another in need.
I hear a cry
for help
that goes unanswered.

The roar of a forest fire
destroying homes.
The sweet melody
of song birds merrily
greeting the morning.

Everywhere I turn,
I experience the world
in all its glories and shames.
It seems like a dream.

But I suddenly realize,
Dreams are reality.
And perhaps as important,
Reality is but a dream.

I turn the corner
and see the sight
of a being from the depths
of pain and despair.

Then he becomes
a knight of shining armor
willing and more than able
to help those
who need his help.

My visions blurs
and then I see
myself, standing there.
He tells me that i'm all three.

He smiles
an odd little smile
and then vanishes.
But I can still
feel his presence.

My journey continues along
and on an impulse
I look back
and see myself
walking the other way.

I keep going on
until I see a sign.
I stop to read it
and am surprised
to find a copy of me
keep on walking.

The sign says,
most puzzledly,
"Welcome to Yourself."

I look around
and find a man
who starts telling me
the most wise things.

I try to listen to them
and suddenly, people
start to pop into existence.
I know them all.

They form a strange pattern,
and in looking at it closely,
I find the following words:
"First, find yourself. Then
people will find you."

Morris Cox
Oct. 11, 1999