For The Times When I Am Lost ...

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On the wall is a map. It is a map to me. It is not easy to get to me. It is not easy to know me. My fault. I do not make it easy, a habit that began when I was a small child. I leave scattered clues everywhere, like Hansel dropping breadcrumbs in the forest. Mostly, these clues are eaten by wanderer birds, strangers I do not know and who never attempt to know me. The rest go unnoticed and rot into the waiting earth.

To get to me, you will need a large sailing ship, preferably a schooner or a brigantine. It will help if you bring along a dashing pirate to captain the ship, plus a handsome highwayman and his equally handsome steed for the land leg of the journey. I’ve always had a thing about tall, slender men, with their hair tied back in a ponytail, and wearing high boots, breeches and velvet coats. Both the pirate and the highwayman should exhibit copious amounts of charm, wit and intelligence. A bit of stubble will not go astray either.

Your journey will begin in the middle of a vast unknown ocean which you will find by asking, "I wish to get to Karen". The ship's sails will billow with an unfelt wind, the sheets will hum, and the timbers will shiver. Off you will sail, on and on until starlight, while the ocean and sky become as one. No division will there be between night and day – both will exist together.

Very soon you will see Orion’s almighty sword from which will issue a wild meteorite storm. Do not be afraid. Your dashing pirate captain will steer the ship skilfully to ride the storm. In no time, you will see the Pleiades, the seven sister stars. They will welcome you, blowing kisses of delight. Do not forget to wave goodbye to them as you pass through the centre of their formation and into the blackness of The Void. Their well wishes will bring you fortune for the rest of your days.

When in the midst of the darkling nothingness that is The Void, be aware of the Infinite Stillness. Feel the Breath of Life gently ruffle your hair and know you are safe. Then, and only then, will you see the Great White Dragon, he of the grey crystalline eyes. His name is Void Traveller, and he is my friend.

He will speak the language of his kind in his deep, sonorous and musical voice. You may even find that, on some level, you understand what he is saying. In any case, his voice will soothe away any tortures and tribulations weighing down your soul.

Void Traveller will lead you to a stone gateway at the edge of The Void. Here, you will leave the ship. The highwayman will invite you to ride behind him on horseback. Accept. Both he and his horse are trustworthy beyond doubt.

The pirate is terribly flirtatious and will beg you to stay with him. Ignore his charms, kiss him on the cheek, then mount the highwayman’s horse. Sit proudly behind the highwayman and wish the pirate good luck. He will bow and give you his blessing - a valuable thing to receive.

The highwayman will urge his horse, hooves clattering, down the ship’s gangway and through the gateway. He will gallop his horse across purple moors, up rocky outcrops, down into verdant valleys, and across grassy plains until you reach a forest as old as time and as wise as forever.

There you will see a gigantic, ancient oak, it's branches reaching so high into the air above it, you cannot see where the tree ends and the sky begins. From here, you will complete your journey alone.

The highwayman will ask you to stay with him. Say no, and kiss him softly on his lips, then lay your cheek gently against the horse’s cheek. You will feel yourself sink into an otherness and transform. I cannot say what that transformation will be. It is different for everyone who journeys to these parts.

You must then knock seven times on the oak and step forward into the the thick trunk of the tree. Have faith – for although the oak will appear solid, it is a door, and the seven knocks will open it.

Walk through and you will see me as I am, and you will understand.

 Inspired by combining a prompt from Cynthia Morris in her quarterly Free Write Fling AND a a prompt from Jill Badonsky in The Muse Is IN Writing Club. (Whew!)