Another tale by Stephen R. Spence
To Kristin Kristin Bento Thanks for helping me Believe in my Ability I dedicate this one to you‌ you‌
1
- It’s a boy says Inspiration as She holds him in her arms Weak and feeble now in her Old age. And with the birth of the Encouraging Son of The Mirror, We start a new chronicle Page. - So what are you going, To name him, Encouragement? What would this young boy’s Name be? - My dear Understanding, After knowing his past, I will call him Ability. For this is exactly what He has inside him. For good or bad, I would not Say. Because that day, it will come; When He’ll know who he is, Then He will have to choose His way.
- Have no fear Encouragement As we are all here. Remember it always you Must. Speaking of Understanding, Inspiration and Herself Are the words now given by Trust. - Yes we will do it (Inspiration now says) For the Poet this deed must Be done. Because I believe, And so should you all That Ability should be his Son. - That’s a great idea Inspiration! Trust, Understanding, Do you both agree? From this moment on, The world will know this Boy, As the young Master of Poetry. 2
Over the years, As Ability grows, Only the good he was taught By The Four. But deep down inside, He has a feeling; That he should really be Taught more. But still strong he is In the Poet’s World. The best ever he might just be. But it’s all up to him… He can do what he wants That’s why he’s Ability. He sits down with paper, And a pen in his hand, They touch an words begin to Flow. For there is something, That is on his mind. And he wants his diary to Know:
Dear diary,
The best I know I can be, Because I am a true master Of this poetry. But there is just something I Feel I’m not told. By the four women One young and three old. The Poet’s my father, That is what they say, But I start to wonder each And every day. When I’m frustrated and Feeling stress I look in the mirror and I Feel it less. Who am I? Please tell me, Before it’s too late I just need to know where Lies my true fate…
3
Why oh why must my heart be confused? Why oh why between these girls I must choose? Inspiration and Encouragement, Two girls both sweet and smart Two girls of whom helped me create, My skilful poetic art… … Please believe it, it is true Inspiration, please be my wife Encouragement I love you. This is what Ability finds When in search of his past he Goes. He finds a poem written by the Poet. Speaking of all his love woes. He goes to his mother: - Can you please explain, This poem that I just found?
- Where did you find that? - Please just tell me all. And please mother say no more lies. Encouragement says nothing, just looks at her son, As water builds up in her eyes. Encouragement disappears, And returns with a box Poet’s books are what lie inside. - I’m sorry my son, For what I have done, The truth, I can no longer Hide. Ability says nothing, He just takes the box. And exits through the nearest Door. Soon he would know Exactly who he is. The great secret will be no more…
Encouragement freezes for a short while, Before slowly turning around. 4
Have you ever heard the story of this great man? The Poet is what he went by. He had 2 enemies, Mirror and the mad, To kill him is what they would try. But a beauty The Poet’s love. Called Inspiration Would make sure that their attempts fail. By burying the mad deep down in a grave. And putting Mirror into a glass jail. But The Poet he could not be with his love. He just couldn’t; but he wanted to. And his other female friend Known as Encouragement Is who he would turn to, is true. Now the poet’s heart became confused he did not know which girl was his one. Because After their talk, Poet soon knew,
He loved Encouragement and Inspiration! Now after this problem who would he turn to? A third girl, yes number three! Understanding’s her name, as well as her game why he did this was a mystery. Now sometime soon after Encouragement saw, Mirror man through the Captive glass She thought he was Poet tricked in there by Inspiration. She was his get out of jail pass. Mirror man, who is so charming and smart, Put Encouragement under his spell. He turned the Emotions against. each other, to make Poet’s life a living hell. After the fight, it all became quite clear, Mirror Man made is plan quite smart. To add salt to the wound, 5
What would he do? Kill Encouragement, Stabbed right through the heart!
The game of youth they could no longer play.
And from inside the poet, Something new could be seen A never before opened Poet page.
Once the poet returned Back to his true self And his head came out of that cloud.
It was something so bad, Even much worse then mad. He was running completely on Rage.
He looked at the three, Quite old, but alive. For their actions, this man felt quite proud.
He killed Mirror Man, Looked at inspiration Like she was the next one to go.
Now hat could he do To repay these girls? He saw the fourth on the floor.
But a lady came, to calm down his rage, Her trust is what she had to show.
Now with all the keys, In his possession To his heart, he unlocked the door.
But it wasn’t enough Inspiration and understanding pitched in. With this combination, Rage met its end There was no way on earth he could win. But to bring back the Poet, It would not be cheap, A great price they would have to pay. Age was the price Yes that would suffice.
Now his task was simple Only one on his mind. It just had to be done. Encouragement he’d revive Sacrificing his life. To save her and her unborn Son. The truth is now out, for all here to know. Yes that unborn son, it is me. Not the Poet’s son. But the son of the mirror. My name is Ability. 6
While going though poems In search of his past. He found one stuck in the box frame. It was untouched for years upon years And on it, was a stranger’s name: For those who do not know it This story was told by me, On the poet’s list of loved ones, I am the fifth lady. For I am the one he would come to When he needed to get something out. The other four ladies and his love problems, Is what we would talk about.
I know all of his stories, and I heard them first, Of that he always made sure. Now his death was sad No doubt about that, Things change with the roll of a dice. Poet, this one’s for you With all of my love, From your great friend, Advice. - Advice, (said Ability) That might be good. Some Advice I think I’ll obtain. And try to end inside me, All this horror, This unbearable pain.
Oh this poor poet, he loved me too But I made sure it wouldn’t be. Especially as the one know as Mad Is somewhere on my family tree.
So off he went, on his journey One which he would approach quite meek.
He is a distant cousin, but please let’s don’t stray, Now what was I saying before?
To see if some counselling He could get, Advice is who he would seek…
7
Ah young Mirror I know one day we would meet But I did not know I would be so soon. A visit from a Talent to me has been rare. Since that day. We talked by the lagoon Last thing he told me, he made up his mind, His plan was to father a son. Now which of the four? Is the question you ask; The answer is Inspiration. So to you my young one What brings you to me? To the cabin with the lagoon in the back. Dirty hungry and tired you are And with your belongings you carry a sack. Well come in and settle Take a bath then eat up. How long now are you on the road? Anyhow we’ll talk after you feel more at home. And from your conscience we’ll take off that load.
Now he is clean He heads for a meal He hasn’t eaten in days He hears a strange voice singing softly and sweet. More attention to it he pays He sees a young lady, He goes to Advice, -Who’s this girl who stands In front of me? - This is my daughter, Belief is her name And she is my only progeny. Not a single word is said. As they stared at each other They seem to connect through the soul. To Believe in Ability Miracles can be made, As their spirits finally become whole. From the eyes of Advice satisfaction can be seen Her work here is now complete. It was her plan all along From the time of their births. That today these soul mates would meet. 8
All the Advice that ability needs Is found within Belief All the secrets between them they share Even though they just met It’s like they’re the same And about each other they care.
- So supportive you are. And in me you believe Where have you been all of my Life? I don’t think I can wait (He went down on one knee) Belief, will you please be my Wife
It as if they missing part of their lives. Was now sitting right there at their side.
And without no time to spare A response could be heard by all As she replied in the loudest voice
And Ability believes, when he needs to talk, With this girl he can now confide.
She jumped in his arms And gave him a kiss Because “YES” was this beauty’s choice.
Belief, she’s quite sweet Good looking she is, And has a certain kind of charm Ability, he likes this. And it attracts him. His uneasy heart now seems quite calm. - And that is my story Belief That is who I am, Son of the evil mirror man. - So you father was evil That does not make you so. Think, Good I’ll be your biggest Fan!
- Mother did you hear! About my engagement… Mom, why do you look so blue? Advice was quiet, She walked up to Ability - There’s something I must tell You. What is it Advice? Please… let me know! Inspiration is quite ill There’s no time to waste. It is time for you to go.
9
Without a moment to spare. Ability leaves the House of Advice. Along with his new fiancée. And to Inspiration’s home They would arrive Before the end of the day.
The day the poet died, he told Advice, That his child he wanted you to bear. Yes Inspiration He loved you so much. The others could not come close.
- Where is she? Shouted Ability As he ran up the stairs And then through the bedroom door. He would soon stop silent As he entered the room He could not believe what he saw. Inspiration lay quite still Not moving at all Ability walked up to the bed. - Inspiration can you hear me It is me Ability. can you hear me?
Because in his heart he knew quite well that it was you that he wanted most. It is poets love for you, that showed me the way To help me find my fiancée. This is Belief, the daughter of Advice. For your good health we will both pray. - Ability no; don’t. My time is no more. We’ll meet again someday I know
Is what he first said. - Ability. sweet Ability I am now quite old. my goal here is now complete
You’re like a son to me. Look after the three. This girl’s a beauty, don’t let her Go.
From this place I have to depart and my maker I have to go meet.
Goodbye my sweet Ability Is the last thing she would say…
- No inspiration, Not quite jus yet There’s a secret that you must hear.
As the last of life leaves her veins, As Inspiration fades away
10
- What can I say bout inspiration The greatest woman that I knew, A better mother than me to my son, Believe me, it is true. She always knew what was right When hard choices were around. Encouragement could say no more. In tears She the hit the ground. Ability then went up to speak - Times are difficult as you can see. This is a tribute to Inspiration Written by no one, but me. Inspiration, she was beautiful An Angel the poet would say, She became a second mother to me And taught me the right way. I was there at her side, until the end When her spirit left the earth It is only now I have idea How much life is really worth. This lady cared for us all, She was the most mature, She would be missed by all of us And that is for sure. So inspiration I hope you are happy Where ever your spirit may be. And I will never forget you So please never forget me‌
Now some time has past Since Inspiration moved on. We witness the union of two Both of who are young. But very much in love. And everyone believes that it’s True. They both say “I do” as everyone Feels Just a little nervous inside. Then finally the priest says the words Ability, you may kiss the bride. Now as their lips touch Everyone Cheers them on. Then the room gets filled with a light. This light seems familiar From a chronicle long gone One that is so strong and white. And at the same time, The new husband and wife Both levitate off of the floor Ability smiles As he looks into the eyes Of the lady that he cares for. - Ability, the son that I never had From the light a deep voice came. Everyone in the church fell quite Silent. Because to that voice they could put a name
- Could it be? Thought Encouragement - Yes my dear it is me The maker the creator, The true king of POETRY! For I have returned to give praise To the one who has replaced me. In all of my good ways. Encouragement, Understanding, Trust and Advice, And Inspiration who’s no longer There, Show this couple how to grow With love And let them know that you Care. Then just as sudden as He Entered, Poet left this holy place. And a smile with tears could now Be seen, On Encouragement’s face. The Couple felt quite special, Blessed on their wedding day. From the great one, the poet himself. There’s something the couple would say: - For those who attended our Wedding Thanks for being here, We both say . As well as to tell you the good news We have a baby on the way!
12
- Push! (Says the doctor)
A Miracle is that what is made.
As Belief screams, For her baby is almost born.
They all look at the little boy Known as Miracle As he sleeps in his mother’s arms.
The sun can be seen over the horizon, As we are at the break of dawn. - A little more (says the doctor) Yes I see a head, common Belief, Your nearly there. Ability is at her side. Holding her hand. He wasn’t going anywhere. With one last burst of pain Crying is heard. The doctor says: It is a boy! He hands the baby to his mother Ability looks on in joy. For the baby looks so wonderful, And has his mother’s eyes Ability tries to hold it back, But he just cries and cries. As he holds his son for the first time He is happy of how he lived his life He jus smiles, looks at his family His son, and his loving wife. And before long all the family Find themselves present around the bed It was not long before the question was asked. Trust was the one who said: - Have you chosen a name? Or at least an idea? Or would you be needing some aid? - When you Believe in Ability There is only one result
None of those around, have in their Mind, That this boy could raise any alarms. But something is forgotten Yes forgotten by all Who was it who’s related to who? Ability, related to the Mirror Man And Belief to the mad one it’s true. But none of them realize that, As all smiles they are Amused by this little child As he sleeps there so quietly With all the innocence in the world We think that he’ll always be mild. So we leave this happy family. As happiness is the best. And so baby Miracle, Could get some needed rest. But with both Mirror and Mad on His family tree We wonder what kind of person Would Miracle be? Would he be like the Poet, and Ability Or like Mirror man so full of sin! My friends, all the answers You’ll be able to find, In the third Chronicle from within. 13