Moyen Loses His Way
The Food of Paradise in rhyme,
A story that transcends time.
Although it dates back to a period some would call medieval,
In this story there are no sieges, no plagues, no monarchs, no cathedrals.
This is a story about truth and what it means to search for such,
How truth is illusive and always seems to vanish once in our clutch.
Moyen was a family man with kids to work the acres he owned,
But something wasn’t right, he felt, one day while coming home.
All day long his thoughts were fixed on the words of a smart man,
Words that made Moyen ask himself: “do I know who I really am?”
Though he tried and tried to think of something else,
The words of this traveling man had penetrated deep within Moyen’s self.
At the dinner table Moyen’s wife foresaw that something strange was to come,
His mental shadow even eclipsed the youthful shine of his daughters and sons.
“Dearest?” his wife inquired, “Daddy?” his babies chimed,
“Please reveal,” they begged, “that which plagues your mind.”
But nothing worked to bring forth his thoughts,
Like a mouse in a trap, his tongue was caught.
A sip of water did little to loosen his throat or quench his thirst,
Our friend Moyen was busy figuring out who would be the first.
First to be told that today was his last,
Being with family and friends would soon be in the past.
“Listen up,” he finally revealed,
Everyone gave him their attention with zeal.
“What I am about to say to you all may come as a shock,
Like when you first learned about the deaths of Biggie and Tupac.
But rest assured that my perspective is wise and that I have learned,
I must make a decision that will cause pain worse than being burned.”
The anticipation was trying everyone’s patience and especially their fears,
“please continue,” his wife urged, “your troubles are bringing us all to tears.”
Moyen stood up and stepped away from the table,
Avoiding the direct gaze of those who depended on him for life.
He especially couldn’t bear the eyes of his eternal promised love,
His most cherished and beautiful wife.
He knew that the words he was about to share,
Would be met with tear filled eyes and disappointed stares.
“This dinner,” Moyen proclaimed, “is my last with you all,
I have no choice but to leave you and obey a higher call.
Just a few hours ago I had an intense conversation with a most wise, learned businessman.
He said the best way to live life and do the most for you all, was to follow a strict regimen.
Strict indeed for it dictates that I must abandon all for which I’ve worked so hard,
While keeping in mind that the end result will be full and replete one-ness with God.”
Moyen’s words concluded - saturated with the blindness of conviction,
All were shocked by the words, unsure whether they were fact or fiction.
But the matriarch wondered aloud, needing clarity,
She asked, “so you’re about to abandon your family?”
“I don’t expect you to understand since you did not hear the words of this wise man,” he replied,
“If you leave us tonight don’t expect to return without a fight – your wish will be denied.”
Moyen’s wife continued her appeal:
“Do you choose God who is imagined over your family which is real?
Were your original beliefs that shallow and absurd
That you would change your way after a stranger’s word?
And the word of a stranger at that!
What happened to the spine that once ran down your back?
Philosophy is one thing – and quite beautiful as an art,
But what about the effect of breaking every one of your kids’ hearts?
Tell me what he said… this master! Your new friend!”
Moyen began, but was quickly cut off again.
“And furthermore …” she continued with a yelp,
“I’m not trying to raise these kids without any help.”
Moyen’s heavy sigh signaled to all that this was not going to end with smiles and hugs,
His wife was going crazy and his kids were starting to bug.
“This back and forth is a real bore,
I’m leaving you all to go serve the Lord.
It was a word indeed that moved me
And it was a word alone that began infinity.
Everything around us is a word entirely – I’m sure you realize,
Words are sounds and sounds vibrations when brought together they materialize.
Matter is nothing more than vibrating chunks of soul,
But matter is the thing that makes us all whole.
Without the rhythmic vibrations, each of us would be but wisps of air,
With no center or existence, we just wouldn’t be there.
So yes, it has been a word that has opened my eyes,
The unfortunate truth is that I must leave you guys.
I am now an initiate: what is called a ‘Seeker of Truth.’
By years I am an old man, in terms of knowledge: merely a youth!
I have to go, abandon all, and try to grow.
If you stop to think of it, the best reason is that God said so.”
Moyen emptied his pockets of all worldly goods,
Raised his hand in abdication and headed for the woods.
“In the woods,” the wise man told Moyen, “you will give birth,
to wisdom and understanding, known as ‘Total Faith In Earth’;
And all things created by the most high,
Mysteries and answers to feed your mind’s eye.
Such enlightenment can only be obtained through contemplative solitude,
One which produces thoughts of thanks and sheer, pure, supreme gratitude.
For what have we at all, if not to give thanks
But our minds are consumed with struggle, angst, bills, and banks.
There are many before us who’ve lived the same lives,
However, unlike our generation, they’ve left much when they died:
Words, writings, sounds, and songs,
Many works have survived this long.
Some who lived had made it their goal
To study these works as complete and whole.
The result of these studies have been plain and clear:
It is only the word of God that man must fear.
For those who can’t see this I have unbiased pity,
The word of God can’t be heard over the noise of the city.
It’s worth more than all the world’s gold,
The word of God manifests as a murmur in your soul.
In order to perceive, you must first believe.
For the word of God is sweeter than the sweetest thing you can find,
Sweeter than the dessert called the Food of Paradise, amongst our kind.
The Food of Paradise: all children know it well,
When they see it, their stomachs growl and their eyes swell.
Even for adults, the joy and pleasure is no less,
There are none around that wouldn’t say it’s the best.
For the fools who disagree, they’re automatically dimwits,
Even the clergy loved this food and they often smelled of it.
Crushed almonds, with aromatic clove shells,
The holy leaders simply rubbed it on themselves.
Soldiers carried it into battle fields - there it was more precious than a man’s helmet,
The Food of Paradise was the remedy for more than one hundred different ailments.
Or so the story goes for this Food of Paradise,
With a taste so amazing you have to eat it twice.
But the word of God, son, it’s this about which I’m talking,
You’ve already wasted so many years, it’s best you start walking.
Head for the woods and live with faith in Mother Nature.
Be patient and believe, she’ll deliver you to the creator.
Tests and challenges will obscure your path,
Just remember your purpose and follow through on the task.
When you have a question, you need only ask,
Or rest when tired and take a sun bath.
When you do find a truth, understand Understanding is its root.
True wisdom and enlightenment is yours by following this route.”
And such were the words of this wise business man,
That convinced Moyen to give up his whole famalam.