Quid Pro Quo

[Benjamin]

“Do you recall when time was freely spent?”

The Phantom spoke in words I understood;

blew frosty plumes of truth behind my head.

“When you could dream before dawns breaking light

of harbours, towns and folk of many lands;

your darting ship, wet with life’s silver foam

that stretched out almost to infinity,

with future dancing somewhere on the wind?”

My racing mind viewed kisses and beer halls

where music ruled the day--- and flesh the nights.

 

“You said that for her, you would sell your soul”

he said--- now by my side. Through hoary mist

I eased the pace; recalled falling in love.

My life did not begin till I met her,

became as one in joyful slavery.

I saw her smiling face reach through my mind

and felt my heart burst forth with love; the one

most constant person I had ever known.

The mother of our adult young, each now

with precious little young ones of their own.

 

“And I am here to take you at your word!”

He said, stood tall and barring off my way.

I stumbled back onto a wooden bench

with hand on heart: looked up and softly said,

“You’ll hear from me no gripe nor weary cry,

for I fear not the running sands of time;

and I will not regret my empty chair,

nor pity those who stand around my grave;

for I have loved, and been loved in return!”

“Peace! --- Close your eyes my friend and come with me.”

[Larsen M. Callirhoe]

beautiful, just beautiful. well worth the read benjamen.

 

victor

[badger11]

An equal exchange...?

 

I wasn't sure of the full consequences of 'selling his soul', except perhaps an 'eternity' was exchanged for a 'moment'. A fair exchange in my view...as long as there's no fiery eternity awaiting :0(

 

enjoyed this ghostly tale

 

badge :0)

[Benjamin]

Thanks Victor pleased you enjoyed the read.

 

Ditto Badge. The older some of us old coots get the more we tend to wonder how and where we'll 'get it.' Can't repeat what some of my friends chose for a last hurrah.

[David W. Parsley]

Benjamin, this is an old fashioned love story that turned out right, facing the End with no regrets. I particularly liked the themes of soul exchange and "joyful slavery." And then the payoff!

 

Nice

- Dave

[tonyv]

Not a bad place to be. I could think of a lot worse, lol.

 

As always, your work is refined and a pleasure to read. One ever-so-small thing -- perhaps I'm wrong, but shouldn't there be a question mark at the end of L8?

 

A life lived to the fullest and meaningfully. No regrets.

 

Tony

[Benjamin]

Thanks Dave, it's amazing the stuff that pops into one's during a solitary walk.

 

Tony, thank you also for your comments and yes, I do believe a question mark is apt on L8. Cheers

[fdelano]

I'm still thinking of someone on another site saying she was not prepared for old age. I assurred her that, from experience, that getting old sucks. So perhaps a contract that includes a short time in heaven balances with not suffering the physical and mental failures of old age. After all, you gotta go sometime. Oh, beautifully written with insight to another's brain. fdh

[dedalus]

A Faustian bargain, eloquently and almost elegiacally expressed: excellent!

[Benjamin]

Thanks Franklin. I think old age usually sneaks up on us like a thief to sandbag us. Some may wear its mantle lightly whereas for others it is a leaden curse. But let's face it, one is usually old far longer than one is young.

 

Brendan. Thankyou for reading and for your positive comments.