Ronaldo Gilley

In my search for a hero, I consulted an old sage

Who, in his old age, imparted the needed wisdom in a response so vague

He said that I must first shrink my ego for the journey to begin

Afterwards, I then acted upon the advice I received from him

There were two conditions he explained

I had to go it alone and without aid

No companion could accompany me on this path that was yet laid

The destination and the distance were unknown and undefined

But I began, I journeyed out to the darkest corners of my mind

It felt like endless toil and suffering

The blood that I bled, the tears that I shed

Then I finally made it to where the path ended, I finally made it…

To the edge

Yet, I didn’t make it in time

I had failed

Because my hero was no longer there

Exhausted, winded, and depleted, I fell to my knees

Reeling in pain, calling out to my Creator in despair

There was no reply and no deliverance after my pleas

So, I stilled my mind and focused on how I breathe

Then I allowed my body to lift

I took in a deep breath and stood at the edge of that cliff

Looking out and beyond, there was nothing

I simply stared into a void

Perhaps there was more, but I could see nothing beyond a…

Dark and foggy mist

Yet, I could not look away

I continued to stare

Into the void, into the distance

And what finally came back at me – as my site adjusted – was my Self

I saw it all

The weakness that lurked, the fear that hid, the rage I held, the intense anger

But as I continued to stare, I saw an abundance of even more things so rare

There was strength, there was passion, and there was the courage to journey into danger

And most importantly, there was the Truth

That further away is the victory I wish

And to clutch victory, I must not simply look into the abyss

I must dive into it

I must plunge into the darkness

Here I stand

At the edge of this cliff

So far from home

I ran so far to find my Destiny

Now, I must dive into the Unknown

It is only now – as I find myself in the middle of that sea

That I finally understand that old sage

I see my reflection in the water and realize that the hero I seek…

Is me