The Others

Think of others...

The Others…    (By Sami Khalil)

Quite natural and in most sensible ways, nightmares kept

lingering ferociously every night, crafted in excruciating

 wonder. Adam Smith, a young lad in his early twenties,

 with a glaring personality, was rather panic stricken with

 them, domiciled in glum. Hiding behind a mask of

 insecurity, after a failed relationship with his high school

 sweetheart, he had the emotional ups and downs as a

 result, apparently smitten to no dead ends. Although

 highly energetic and sharp-minded, not as a magician

 perse, he was though fascinated with magic and

 skullduggery, toying with them to the shock and horror of

 his family. But his kept secret was the possession of split

 personalities, traipsing in and out of reality and the

 otherworldly, belonging and transitioning. Neither peace

 nor profound relief of any sort were found to reassure

 his beloved family, who were at their edge. Unable to

 escape the trap or find alternatives, nightmares kept

 feeding him dread, enduring restless nights. He could see

 wars one night, lion attacks another, car derby accidents

 where he was the driver, and bank robberies that went

 awry, the dead rising to devour, they all kept replaying

 over and over in his head with passing humiliation. He

 feared his life will be stuck in marginalia, heart laden

 with rue. His screams were heard so loud as if from a

 gaunt patient, tangled with pain. One night he saw a

 bridge stretching to Tibet, after it had been liberated

 peacefully, and in the presence of the Dalai Lama who

 beckoned him to approach and get a fatherly advice or

 reading. With hollow caution, barely holding on to

 courage, he mustered some and was facing him. He felt

 at peace though, listening intently to what was being

 said by the sage. It was: “Son. I know your calamity! I

 fathom you are suffering. Here is what you do to end

 that once and for all. I ask you to perform three random

 acts of kindness of your choosing, without selfishness

 and expected rewards in return. Then put yourself in

 three people’s shoes, who suffer in this life. Afterwards

 write an essay about your experiences. You will see the

 outcome and the magical transition. Venturing off, Adam

 went to his college, confronting bullies who were

 abusing a friend. On another occasion, he volunteered to

 feed the poor for a week at a local soup kitchen. Some

 people and animals were rescued by him too, after a bad

 flood had immersed the bustling city.

He ventured again to live a day as a beggar on the streets

 of his neighboring town; living as an orphan another time

 in a shelter or being a homeless veteran, living under a

 bridge, noticed by people but ignored with all his

 sacrifices. After he finished these tasks, a mysterious

 package arrived in the mail, addressed to him. He

 anxiously opened it up, revealing a scintillating diamond

 ring and a letter. With unbridled joy, he opened the

 letter which read: “Son! You are this diamond and this

 gem. What you have done have been so precious to those

 strangers. Your life is a reflection of your noble thoughts

 and actions. Your dreams are multi-faceted as the

 aspects of this gem. Be honoring to God, parents, loving

 example to your kids and valuable to all others. You will

 live happily ever after. Let your light shine through and

 through for diamonds hold no beauty back.”

Adam Smith thanked him, sending him this message in

 return:

Of these moments, gazing into the next awe,

Together and in silence, beyond the edge of weariness,

Light sheds its mystical assertions,

Individual moments of the mournful grey.

Of these moments, explored and realized,

In the looking glass, with no ambiguity of the conscience,

The voice calls for acceptance or rejection,

Compelled to be born, and in the space of argument.

Of these moments, the plight of self and others!

Reviews

[ms. barrie]

another captivating gem you penned, Sami!

for me this story brings to me the symbolism of both the meaning of the fool {major arcana/tarot cards} and adam’s {of the Old Testament} journey into self discovery...the desperate hardships, regrets, despair, etc. ~ at the end i feel this write is an captivating, inspiring one, a blue print
of coming to inner peace
and the soul reaching the higher plane.

either way, your pen never fails to transport me to other dimensions, of learning and sets the imagination soaring.

fantastic writing! ~ :))

[Sami Khalil]

Fantastic you are are as a writer and a reader. I love your interpretation of this. Thank you so much beloved poet for all.
Hope we can comment under your poems one day.

[ms. barrie]

you’re so very welcomed, Dear Poet ~ a million n one thank yous, for your gracious, supportive words...i’m deeply humbled. perhaps one day soon

so glad to see your pen continuously blaze. will catch up again v. soon...
~ :)))

[Sami Khalil]

All good and appreciated.

[ms. barrie]

:))) ~ btw i enabled comments on my latest piece, feel free to & hope you enjoy...hoping to get something written late tonight after much researching, since the weather sets the mood for it ~ horrid thunderstorms
won’t quit ~ brightest blessings :))))

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! That is amazing. See you soon.

[peter Duggan]

A wonderful story you have written here Sami. A very nice story in every way. I can relate to Adam smith s it takes me back to the many nightmares I suffered with after that awful Vietnam war. I love the way this Hera got rid of his suffering after turning his attention to helping others. I got over my suffering by looking into my deepest soul. Another great piece from you, my friend. I enjoyed it very much....Peter

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Both ways are wonderful and needed for healing and salvation. I can't thank you enough great poet and writer for this marvelous review. You are an inspiration. Visit soon.

[emmajoy]

There are times when words truly do take one on an extreme journey and reading your poem does just that.
Your tale of Adam Smith took him from hell to earthly peace and awareness prompted by the wisest of wise advice from the Dalai Lama. In turn the young man was nudged into forgetting self and losing his own bewildered character in caring for those without resource or will. In some way rewards are not essential,. but realising that within self is a power to make a difference to others is.. Pity it doesnt happen to more people these dark days. As always Sami, you slide through a tale of extreme urgency and then glide into an ending that, for me, brings a sigh.

Finely written, offering a moral.. offering peace. Thank you. (edited out typos, so sorry)

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! So true and well articulated dear poet and friend. You are very talented and astute. Your good heart is with God and with people. Thank you so much for all. What a fine review.

[emmajoy]

Added what i thought - could have said more.. tis quite an emotional piece of writing, Sami

[Sami Khalil]

:)..................

[Alfred Kukitz]

I once said upon leaving the reality of Vietnam behind the world needs help, thirty four years of nursing ensued. Great write but its soup kitchen not soap kitchen. I'll take dove if they have it!

regards,
al

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Thank you so much beloved poet and friend for this lovely review and kind words. I honor you.

[emmajoy]

I so want to review but find it difficult to read the compacted spacing., Sami.. so very sorry. Fantastic graphic. [j

[Sami Khalil]

I fixed it. Thank you for letting me know. All appreciated.

[emmajoy]

Thank ou so much.. give me minutes please, will be back. x

[Sami Khalil]

No problem. Any time. No rush...

[Cryingkate]

I am always finding myself studying the facets of light. how one light can reflect so many other facets. Until today I keep seeing the outward reflection but today I am thinking more on the concept of how the Gem Collects the light first then prisms off from it. The study of light itself is endlessly amazing. Here is another way of speaking of the "One Great light" a light we can't see and through action that light is divided and distributed. God's light. then I drift into the thoughts of how many things reflect light such as the Eye and Pineal Gland.. Endless thoughts of Light indeed.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! It is all fascinating indeed. So much we don't know. Have to be discovered. Thank you so much. All wonderful and appreciated.

[Sami Khalil]

"Let your light shine through and through for diamonds hold no beauty back."

Sami Khalil

[Sami Khalil]

Some symbolism is included in this story like the bridge which is crossing uncertainty or fear and such...

[Sami Khalil]

"Of these moments, gazing into the next awe,

Together and in silence, beyond the edge of weariness,

Light sheds its mystical assertions,

Individual moments of the mournful grey.

Of these moments, explored and realized,

In the looking glass, with no ambiguity of the conscience,

The voice calls for acceptance or rejection,

Compelled to be born, and in the space of argument.

Of these moments, the plight of self and others!"

A poem by Sami Khalil