The Surprising Journey of the Soul
An eccentric prose poem about choices
Awakening the Soul looked down saw her hands smooth and clear body strong and steady last she recalled she’d been in bed weathered, worn, tired
The world looked empty but felt like life itself green grass and blue sky to the horizon a warm soft breeze dancing in her hair all strange all familiar
As she considered these surprising events a small man (or so it appeared) appeared natty in a tidy blue suit and polite burgundy tie the Soul couldn’t see his shoes as his legs trailed off into mist
A knowing came to the Soul the Administrator she said in a soft voice yes he said we’re delighted to see you again
He motioned behind him and she saw without eyes lights in the mist a body of spirits separate and yet one thing her thing, she remembered they hummed with excitement and welcome gratitude and love
We thank you for your journey and for sharing so much that was new they said come and rest
The Soul was warm adrift in the cloud-pool she’d dreamed into the world gazing down on a band of fur-clad hunters who were chasing a stag as they always had and she supposed they always would
Even as she marvelled at the infinity of choice and the peculiarity that so few embraced it the Administrator was there well turned out as always
Is it time to go back? he said Back? she laughed you’re very kind but no thank you
he smiled hear me out we have some interesting options available
The Soul sent a skeptical thought and made a dismissive gesture with ectoplasmic grace tell me then
The Administrator nodded
We can offer you China in the Qing Dynasty you’ll be in the Imperial court a more opulent lifestyle than in a thousand lifetimes wealth, political intrigue, excitement and Undersoul X is interested in being your sister
The Soul considered this.
Boy or girl?
Boy
How long do I live?
We can practically guarantee you’ll make it to adulthood
How do I die?
The Administrator paused, calculating As you know nothing is certain but given the uncertainty principle and factoring in Free Will there’s an 85% chance you’ll be flayed alive at thirty for laughing at a joke about the Emperor
The Soul shook her head No thank you then what else have you got?
Are you interested in plague times or genocidal warfare?
I am not I’ve been enough dead babies and I think my seniority entitles me to something more stimulating
Fair enough said the Administrator, scanning a book that had appeared in his hand
Medieval English peasant?
Smelly
Seventeenth-century Tibetan monk?
Boring
The Administrator flipped the pages crinkling his brow as he searched
The Soul grew thoughtful and spoke I will be a dog
a dog? said the Administrator
a dog said the Soul with conviction
I want to live in a small house near green fields with people who laugh and other dogs to chase I want to sniff the trees and the rocks and the seasons and be content with all of it I want my short life to be joyful and silly and wondrous
The Administrator frowned something he did rarely you have been a great queen a fearsome warrior a sage renowned over the whole world what can you learn as a dog? how can it be enough?
the Soul grinned I will learn to be joyful and silly and full of wonder and it will be enough
And it was.
