Phoenix
by Dale J. Sprague
Flash Fiction
He and She
On a warm summer afternoon, I was disarmed while associated with others in mind, the many of us plucking sweet sustenance from a thicket when I saw, by chance encounter..happen to witness what surely promised to be the beginning of a drama in a world we see, inhabitants unable to see us. There, they proceeded candidly with their chance encounter, with all the uninhibited compulsion their primordial instincts commanded, as though they were the only two anywhere at all
In the center of this world is a place controlled by a very small creature. This little creature has eight lovely legs, a shapely torso, and in front, many alert compound eyes. She makes a fine silk thread and uses it to web the space that she wants to control. And the web has a center where she dwells..and from this center, silk strands radiate in all directions as she, in her space of mind, possesses the beginning'end of time through her own self sovereignty
To make her place in this world, she claims just a bit of space as she links each aster spiraling toward its center, toward the final consummation of magic she knows. And we know very well that any creature caught in the silken web, falls subject to this she'creature's needs
This web is dedicated to her primordial vision, having been constructed by the discipline of her mind, having been made to claim the peace at its center
This she'creature dwells in peace except upon occasions when other creatures too large for the web may rip a small part of it, a part she easily and diligently repairs. Or perhaps, when a formidable spirit shakes and disrupts the harmony of her domicile, she remains in her center, undisturbed. She thus lives, feeds, and guards this space under her control. She is a very fine creature, diligent in work, deep in tranquillity. All soul
There are many types of disturbances that could occur to her. None but one though, could cause any change in her way of life. This one stands alone in the universe. He is a traveler by nature who moves and feeds as he casually journeys to and fro. He often dwells upon the earthen floor, and he also has eight long legs and many compound eyes, although over all, he is much smaller than she. Yet, he is much lighter and quicker on his feet!..which, as we shall see, is a critical asset for him
The he'creature travels in a light hearted manner, being fascinated with any arcana that should happen by his way. He has pondered much upon many things and has seen much of a wondrous world. Being curious by nature, he has become very adept to unpredictable things..and wise, learning the delicate balance between valor and discretion
Because she was born very sovereign in her ways, not just any he of her kind can approach her. Many have tried, and many were, as it were, deeply consumed. As we know, both creations must survive. The she, fertilized, and the he, to release his seed. As we see, this he possesses a Will and determination that matches some of the strongest in the universe. And we, as mere spectators, feel uneasy in our own imagination because we sense that the demise of time begins from the confrontation between one so worldly, with one so firmly situated in self knowledge. We see the he'creature struggling within his own aspiration, struggling to pursue the dear object of his heart..to be his instinctive primordial knowledge. And difficulty is inevitable since the he'creature is so much smaller than she. This difference means that she does not recognize him as being of her own kind. In fact, if he should ever get caught in her net, he would become subject to her simple appetite, as though he was just another stranger
Nevertheless, undaunted with inborn caution and determined with worldly wisdom, the he'creature in his usual lively manner, alights close to her territory. He has traveled unwittingly, a long and arduous journey away from his familiar Earth..to begin here, with the love of his heart in reflection upon his eyes, upon the only path he knows. With instinctive powers and worldly gain charged, he rests in meditation at the perimeter of her domain while she rests in her center, undisturbed. Within this awesome ebb, these two feel themselves as they are for the last time. They have savored many gifts of life in their own special way..yet, feeling some end is near, they sense the edge of their own space of mind..the space he instinctively knows they must, at least for a moment, leave behind. Stillness hangs heavy in this place where time has ceased. And the ebb is suddenly broken, as he valiantly leaps forward with his usual receptive nature, and somehow knowing the treachery of her net, takes command of only a single strand, a remote part of her web. It is a tight rope that he can freely move upon, confronting her directly, disabling her from encircling him. And again, he wisely recalls that his powers of influence with her are limited, and that he cannot afford to allow himself to fall into her grasp because it would surely be an event that would end his existence..far too soon for him. In readiness upon a tight rope of silk, this intrepid traveler draws upon his primordial knowledge. Driven by an ageless instinct, he cautiously approaches the center of his heart, the primordial purpose of each beat. As he approaches, she rears her giant legs far above him, but with due respect, he slowly moves forward for the opportunity to quickly touch her with his knowledge and charm. When she discovers that he is not attacking her for the usual reasons, she drops her guard in confusion, and he seizes his first opportunity to place her into a space that she has never before experienced
This sovereign she'creature though, is strongly situated in her own world, and there is only a brief moment of stillness when she is outside herself. And regaining her autonomy, she ferociously attacks the intrepid lover, and he, possessed with excellent powers of discretion, retreats. Again, he approaches driven by an intense irrational instinct upon a tight rope, to touch her with his special manner. Repeatedly, the he'creature perseveres with courage and inborn wisdom, pursuing the object of his heart, however unaware she most certainly is, of his benign and loving intentions
As we witness this spectacle, we see that this traveler is surely possessed with strong Will and endurance. One time, her formidable jaws just barely grazed his vital middle. And there was another time when he fell from the single strand rope, arresting all of us..but was saved by a wise precaution he had taken earlier of attaching a safety line made of his own silken thread. With this magnificent event, a wave of admiration passed through us all. In the middle of this intriguing dialogue, we became aware of a profound passion this brave lover had for his calling..and as we see, the she'creature gradually turned to a yellow rose in his eyes, and each time he managed to touch her, she became a bit more disarming. Her ferocity and rage cooled to anger with periods of disorientation, as this caring courageous soldier of love begins to conquer, with perseverance, intelligence, a dash of genius..humility, discretion, and valor. Yet, there was a moment in this dialogue when the near constant strain of their personal impasse began to show on both of them, becoming a victim of each other, as it were. Nevertheless, he noticed from recent passes he made that she would remain a bit longer in a peaceful state, better accustomed to his presence. There was even a bit of a moment when she almost completely relaxed, becoming one with all!..suspending all of us! Revitalized by obvious signs of change in her, he pursues with ever greater vigor, to dispel her anger, where'after the she'creature shows even more visible signs of peace, at least for a moment, accepting him as her partner in the universe. And then, in one unexpected magnificent moment, she is tranquil, under the spell of his affection. And he, knowing what this opportunity means, immediately joins her, and they are as one
Within this moment, time suspends completely as the magic of life passes between them, and here, while they are joined, the ebb'space that was in their beginning returned to hold all of us within its enchantment..feeling intensely the pleasant fragrance and sensation of the eternal now. A moment though is but a brief passing, and she soon regains her usual composure, to rear and pounce upon him. His destiny was secured. His primordial instinct fulfilled, and his energy, unfortunately depleted. With her renewed rage and self sovereignty, this small he'creature was attacked and cast from his safe tight rope, and fell away to nowhere, falling far from the place that moments before, he commanded so well. As we, the onlookers, remain in disbelief, we ponder over the end of such courage, perseverance, and valor that had begotten a self'sovereign for their continuance in nature. She was seeded, and we know that she will discover a paradise in devotion to her own, as they proceed in time from her. But his fate is difficult to ponder..and we wonder in anguish about such a terrible end to such benign and loving intentions. From this dark end, suspended within, we are left with a dismal mood...and we must meditate..in rhythm with glittering moonbeams over a deep dark ocean, to contemplate upon the fate of such a courageous he as we have seen
Is this the mandate of primordial knowledge existing with such certainty?..existing without doubt, without hesitation. Does it match equally the entire physical existence of he? Is any of creation fated to such an instant end, being only the knowledge of a necessary deed? Must we find a way to accept the stroke of this hand of creation?..so far beyond our comprehension
We must, of course. We must somehow see such integrity and vision of life as that which passes through the life of she...from infinite past to eternal future...but how can this be? As we begin to be taken over by a deeper darkness of our own limitations, we are aroused again. In sweet relief we perceive below. There is a bit of a stirring on the floor of the Earth in the direction of the great fall. And sure enough! He had merely made a spectacular flight back to his own earthen space, where his feet once again felt the familiar foundation, the sights and sounds with familiar fragrances! Thus..to so much that is different, he is not a stranger. Life to him is large with many adventures upon the earthen floor, or high within empyrean realms where she remained. And within her, we know now, he was only seeking there, the peace he knew on Earth..the peace, the repoir..the copesetic..that in due time, is always regained