The times have brought a new change. Restless Soma moves on, as is it's way.
Restless Soma as it was, is no more.
This is a portal, my portal. Every person wishing to participate, current members or not, from this point forth shall have to first post a Portal.
Guests are allowed to see the Portal Board, and possibly more later.
Requesting a portal means writing a piece that is a signal indicator for you. Something meaningful, and perhaps something you wish to speak out. Create a portal for yourself, and then you're in, if all appears OK. New members register into a temporary membership, until they set up their Portal.
This is my portal.
And it includes the new rules of this house, which after all is my house.
I've grown old and bitter listening to drivel. There are rules here now, and they are very strict!
In this house, you present yourself, then participate in discussion.
The discussion has now a few laws:
1. No disdain. Previously, I used to allow a small amount of sewage in amongst an otherwise valid food. So I would leave it. Now however, out it goes. Good food along or not - you can always reword and post again. Just remove the bile and insinuations of bile. Main law - out it goes. And know this, I can see underground.
2. Disappearing posts. That's the norm here now. Look at it this way, if I leave a post of yours, you know I accept it in this house. Otherwise the fog, you know - can't do much about the fog can we?
3. Communication. That is the play here. Understand? I post one post, and you post ten - that's not communication. Superfluous Sequential Post Trains (SSPT's or more commonly, raves), will be put to sleep as quickly and silently as I can.
4. Vacuous responses. If you don't have something to say, then fine, just say nothing. If you have a serious approach to your own life, then it will be recognised, so just tell your story, and tell it with passion! Empty posts like winks and snuggles will have to become fog gobble I'm afraid. You can sniggle a pop with those you love on plenty of other places.
5. Relax. Don't stress out. Just say what is moved inside you, and then let it go.
I am sitting high on a cliff top, with group of friends. We talk in whispers - the air is so still up here today. There is a gentle crispness in the air.
One by one, each moves away silently, to sit at the edge, and gaze out over the world.
I stand and look out. The universe lies spread before me.
Down there, down in amongst the valleys, across the plain, down to the water's edge,
the path I am walking. I watch myself, a tiny dot, stepping it one foot at a time on an endless road. I watch, and then I see myself way down there, turn, and look back, then up. At me.
I wave.
What can you say at such times?
I look at my companions beside me, each looking out into the vision before us.
Each seeing their own vision. Watching in silence.
Then we break for a cuppa and a few nibbles.
Glass of wine, for the more daring young ones, like myself.
Look, up the road, coming towards us from the valley. A man and his friends. This man has a very confident and business like mien. He is no fool. And his friends? What a weird bunch! So here he comes, with a big grin of pleasure on his face.
Stands there like a cardinal, beaming at us and the crowd, he spreads his arms and welcomes us to his home. We tag along somewhat diffidently - I mean nice chap and all that, but really, it's all around - why go anywhere? We drift towards his earnest hospitality, looking, looking.
We arrive just in time for the big debate. We take our seats, which as we are the only of our species in the location - we are something of celebrity, in a gentle respectful way. The arguments rage across the hall, the fists pound open palms, to smack out the point!
No one wins, as usual, but everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. And now to the edge again, as the sacraficial fire descends into the sun,
and the mist of evening brings that intense moment of mystery and longing,
the moment of change, from light to dark - translucency at that crucial mid point. A common shared pleasure for my companions and me.
You can count on me, dear reader. Count on me to take a good look at you, as you pass by.
If I see a spider on your trouser, I'll tell you. But if you don't want to hear, I'll pass it across to the enforcer - the mysterious hand in the fog.
Good morning everyone, my name is Michael.
And I welcome tired travellers - we have some excellent entertainment tonight. Rest your legs, and let our acrobats entertain you. They are most excellent comedians you know, although you'd think they didn't know, the way they play their parts so well. It's really a hilarious show, but then, perhaps you have to get the joke, if you know what I mean.
So the fire is lit, and the dragon is asleep at my feet for now - the night is calm, and the single oar, is still all we need. Drifting beneath that endlessness out there.
~~~~~
In honour of the man himself, though oh how few recognise him:
here is a little offering - a track from some recent sessions of our band, Saur:
Everyone You Know
