Schizophrenic Poems, Short Stories, and Thoughts

I was doomed from the start, a cruel man born to a cruel world. My confliction was that of a cheat. It was because of this confliction, that I came to be in my current predicament; a doomed man with his head on the block awaiting fate. My accuser was unknown, but for all that it is worth, I am not angry. Only sad I didn’t get to have more fun. Fun seemed to be my fate’s weapon of choice, as I should probably have lived a more boring life. But, if this is it, then this is it…

And then, suddenly, absence. And a silent haze that seems to go on for an eternity. This haze was so thick you could only see a few feet ahead of you. I was honestly afraid to move forward, as I didn’t know what was ahead of me. I called out; there was no answers only an echo that bounced all around me. This place…where was I?

It was all I could do to make sense of where I was or what had happened. There was a vagueness to my thoughts, it seemed, something I couldn’t place my finger on. As I walked forward it was the same nothingness. Just this dense haze that never ended. It was like I could walk for an eternity and there would be nothing.

I suddenly heard another voice echo, and it was a painful moan.  I began to walk toward the sound as it grew louder. This white haze was all around me. I couldn’t see anything only hear a voice. I walked for what seemed like hours, but nothing, only a moan. For the life of me I couldn’t understand what was happening.

Suddenly, after I had just about given up hope, I walked upon a dank and creepy river deep in the haze.

An old man was standing there waiting inside a boat with an oar. “I am the ferryman, of the river Styx,” the voice replied. “I am here to carry your soul to the afterlife,” said the ferryman. “For a price.” Suddenly I knew where I was, and an immense panic came over me.

I was a cheat in my real life, and I cheated people out of there money. I got rich off the suffering of others, and now I have no coins to pay you with. The ferryman’s eyes grew saddened as he said, “I am bound by the rules of this realm, and without payment I cannot let you pass.” I panicked and pleaded to the ferryman to let me make amends. Please, I begged!

The ferryman’s eyes looked up and said, “I shall make a bargain with you, I will ask you three questions. If you answer them right, then I will take you across. But, if not, you shall be stuck here doomed to wander purgatory for eternity.” I looked at the ferryman in relief and agreed to his terms.

“Question 1: What is the value of true friendship?” I thought about the question for a second before I answered, and then said, “The true value of friendship comes from a true friend, and a true friend is hard to find. So, the value of true friendship is priceless.” The ferryman looked at me in agreeance.

“Question 2: What is the mark of true friendship?” Again, I thought about the question before I answered. And then said, “The mark of true friendship is love and compassion for one another. To be kind and understanding to one another.” The ferryman looked up in agreeance once more.

“Question 3: What is the true purpose of money?” I thought again for a time. And then answered, “The true purpose of money is to share your wealth when others need it. To love and help one another when in need. That is the true purpose of having money” The ferryman smiled and told me to board.

On the way across the river, I learned that we all needed to love and respect others and their situations. We never know when someone may be in need or need a friend. I am now free to live out eternity helping others and existing in peace.