
by
Terry D » Mon Nov 27, 2000 5:49 am
With cocooned security Orald walked in fuzzy dream slippers. The floppy, pink bunnies snuggled warmly, comforting the old one's sleepy feet. Somnambulistic meanderings took Orald to far-away havens. His widdle bunny slippers followed faithfully,.. prophylactically, the cocoon nurtured his soul in the warmth of seclusion. <BR><BR>Orald considered several alternative perspectives... The first, was a distinct rememberance of Father Tolkien's struggle to capture and create Frodo's quest in literary form. The horror of a World at War isolated the linguistic genius within limited bounds. Distinct walls of social, political and physical aspect encapsulated the divine writer in his English Hobbit hole. He continued to write. Was he ignoring the obvious fact that bombs, death, destruction raged in unrealistic horror, so close to his very door? Yet, within Tolkien's imagination the excellence of human endeavor was being crafted. Could Frodo and Gandalf have journeyed with such distinctive accuracy without the impetus of impinging doom of WW II, or, without the corresponding protective shell of an author's retreat? When writing the Fantasy Trilogy, did Father T. escape the terror of war? What influence did protective isolation provide? Could the depth of pain and the integrity of release, necessary to overcome "the orcs... packing their arms and getting close" have been achieved without a safe haven? <BR><BR>Orald contemplated a second focus. Clearly, he recalled the quixotic character that was his namesake. Tom Bombadil found safety in the Old Forest,.. preserved innocence with the integrity of continuing to believe in a more naive reality. Does Old Tom present one answer for the questioning Lady G.? Yes, I believe that the innocent sometimes have a protective aura. I have experienced such an affect. If one continues to concentrate on the "good things" and avoid accepting, completely deny, the reality of the evil, sometimes, not always, the vile evaporates and the pristine is preserved. Is it, as if, there are imperceptible forces that mitigate circumstance to the benefit of the "good"? Does one need to fight the wolves at the door to overcome their terrible influece? I think that sometimes it is wise to avoid direct confrontation with maurauding orcs. But, the secret is discovering when to fight or not....<BR><BR>A third focus intrigued Orald. We, all of us, even Tom Bombadil, partake in an incredible feast,.. we dance with divinity, we sup with devil. There are times to fight and times to sing of peace. Escapism can be a way of fighting, only if one is not the cause of the evil, or, one is not connected to causal agents. Howso? Can one be innocent of the circumstance one finds themselves in? Perhaps, yes. For, ultimately, innocence may be one's only haven....<BR><BR>Will avoiding paying the Piper, feeding the hungry wolf, or ignoring the cursing orc, somehow ultimately protect? Every day, all of us, ignore most of this world's tragedy! We isolate ourselves from "other's troubles" for, at least, one simple reason,.. one would be overwhelmed by the horror of pain and suffering! But, what of the terror that immediately threatens? There is a proper time to avoid confrontation and hope or sing or sleep through the onslaught with a sublime ignorance, an innocent haven, that by concentrating on the positive the negative will find a way to eliminate itself,.. sometimes one needs do nothing but continue to persevere with integrity,.. "the road goes ever on..."<BR><BR>A comfy sofa spoke softly to Orald. Its nest of cushions provided a cozy perch. Orald gently removed his bunny slippers. They hopped to rest on a multi-colored rug which provided an island of warmth for the sofa. A large fire crackled and danced in a snug hearth,.. Orald wished the best for his dear friend Lady G. He began to snore....