An Idea to Consider

When a new Idea is born,

there is nothing that can drive a wedge

between Reality and Potential;

they are inseparable.

The Idea takes to the wing with

excitement for what will be,

joy for the adventure, passion for the game!

Every occasion seems to breathe on topic,

every conversation hints in context,

every dream makes larger than life the future's path.

Energy is poured into perfecting,

analyzing, streamlining, as the infant Idea

progresses through stages of maturity.

It’s a creeping thing…

Despair waves a flag of distraction,

makes faces through the window

beckoning Reality to stand alone.

Reality looks to Despair,

rising to meet this new outlook,

its face glowing, feeling the rush of self-reliance.

Despair slowly, steadily,

forces Potential into the background.

Bruised and beaten by harsh blows of negative outlook,

repetitive unrelated troubles,

and generalized hopelessness,

Potential cowers and is unable to hold its footing.

Idea cannot breathe.  It falls.

Despair makes a grand display for all to see,

praising Reality for its wisdom,

its wholesomeness, its righteousness.

Reality shakes hands and swaps stories of the past

with Animosity, Fatalism, Bitterness,

and countless others.
Reality speaks.  They all applaud.

Despair quietly backs Potential into a dark corner,

covers it with a blanket of warnings,

stuffs a pillow of false security into its mouth,

and tapes it in place with tolerance.

Reality glories in the moment,

growing taller with every stroke

of Despair’s unceasing flattery.

Idea is dead.

A lull in the din pervades the depths of Reality,

whispering softly, “Where is Potential?”

Reality snaps to attention.

Shoving Despair to the floor,

it rushes through every room,

overturns furniture, 

grabbing every guest by the shoulders, “Where is Potential?”

A quiet whimper of hope captures the attentive ear of Reality.

Despair flutters about, 

tugging, shouting, demanding,

but to no avail.

Reality throws off the cumbersome weight

and suffocating entanglements

from its precious friend, Potential,

reviving and restoring their unity

with the oxygen of hope.

Together, Reality and Potential

breathe new life into Idea,

revitalizing its vision, feeding it new thoughts,

and clothing it in motivation.

Reality and Potential don't waste time;

with lumber of encouragement

and nails of thankfulness,

they begin building a structure on a foundation of truth;

a house large enough to entertain many more Ideas to come.

~ae