That dream again. The one where I find myself in an endless tidal marsh of red water under an orange sky, surrounded by the trilling of insects and frogs as large as water buffalo. It should be a terrifying place, but I find myself at peace. A silvery path of floating pebbles leads me to the source of all wisdom.
The Pond Mystics show themselves at dusk, when the sky darkens and the horizon disappears. The key is to remain perfectly still, waist deep in water but creating no ripples. The serenity of the Pond Mystics requires a clear mind and perfectly reflective surface.
They appear without warning and close on me without a sound. I am surrounded, not only by their bodies, but by their minds. They commune with nature, with the cosmos, and with me. As they tread closer, I can see the water lilies, arrowheads, and coontail plants that grow from atop their heads. They are a source of wonder as well as wisdom.
“You have questions,” a Pond Mystic states.
“Yes,” I say.
“You wish to join us.”
“Yes,” I say again.
“But you think you’ll look silly with water lilies growing out of your head.”
“Yes,” I admit.
“Then you are not yet ready. Go out into the world, seek truth, and bring back a seed.”
And then I wake up.
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For The Gardeners Collection, I chose a Pond Mystic. If you would like to participate and honor growth, wisdom, and resilience, please visit PageDAO on X for details.
The Deadline to Enter is February 17th.
