Days passed…Me would not move from her place beneath the oak tree on the bluff. Fear had shattered her confidence and despair was beginning to set in. Melody and Freedom could only watch from afar…waiting for Me to make her first attempt to challenge Society’s definition of her. The Forest of the Naked Slate had been filling her head with society’s expectations the moment she entered. She had not felt these expectations since before the incident twelve years ago. The forest was doing exactly what was expected of it. It brought Me face to face with the raw expectations of her existence. Melody could sense the sadness, the fear, the lack of confidence. As Me’s guide… she knew she needed to intervene.
Melody sat perched in the cradle of the beautiful oak tree. She dusted herself off and slowly made her way to where Me was sitting.
Chick a dee dee dee
Chick a dee dee
Chick a dee dee dee
Chick a dee dee
My child…what is the pain that you feel?
I see you loathe your position.
I see the heaviness in your heart.
Talk to me….please talk to me.
…no words were spoken. Afternoon fell into dusk…dusk into evening.
Finally, Me spoke:
I miss my home Melody. I miss the water…I miss Sun…I miss my diamonds…I miss playing along the waters edge with Freedom. I want to go back Melody. Please…please take me back. Here….my head is filled with chaos and confusion of who I am supposed to be. At the water’s edge my existence was clear. I want my other life back with just you, Freedom and me.
My child you must remember why you are here. Our life at the water’s edge was just the beginning of this journey to fill your Naked Slate. As we both know, you were no longer being challenged…no longer asking questions…no longer seeking knowledge. Remember when you began your search for what “could be”? You taught yourself how to remove the clutter from your mind…you reached deep …you met Soul and learned from Soul. Soul helped you realize that what is inside of you is precious and belongs only to you. You decide who you are, not the definition that society has created for you. The Forest of the Naked Slate is challenging everything about you that is not in Society’s definition of you. Fear is its weapon. You must decide what your weapon will be.
Me’s eyes met Melody’s for the first time since their arrival. Melody could see the anger beginning to ease as Me’s body language softened.
Melody continued…
Remember when you visited the museum with Freedom and learned about mediocrity? Through pictures you saw how Society’s static definition of mankind has permeated our history for centuries. This mediocrity has become the safe haven of man and woman’s definition of how they see themselves in this world. It is a comfort zone that most seek as life’s fulfillment. But life is not fulfilled…for Soul has never been met… You have chosen to meet Soul.
Melody watched as Me wrestled within her thoughts…time continued to pass…it was late into the evening before she finally spoke again. Freedom had taken a position beside her and his nose was nuzzled in her lap.
…Finally she spoke
…it is Soul who will be my weapon.
My ghost in me... 