Quaerens Veritatem

Searching for truth (Latin).

What happened to truth?

Where did she go?

I needed to find her.

 Searched high and low.

Knew she existed.

 Had seen her before.

Embarked on a quest.

 A journey in lore.

At first, I used every means to conjure her up.

Fortune cookies.

Talismans and idols.

Necklaces and candles.

Reaching into magic hats.

Reading palms, tea leaves and tarot cards.

Crystal balls and ouija boards.

Lawyers, judges, doctors, professors and priests.

Witch doctors and potions.

Casting lots and roulette wheels.

She continued to elude.

I had grown weary wandering about, questioning and asking for directions.

Some said she was a virgin dressed in white.

Others thought she was nude and held a hand mirror.

In a last ditch effort, I climbed down a holy well.

It was deep and complex like a labyrinth with many twists and turns.

I thought I would never get to the bottom.

Just as I was about to give up, Eureka, I had finally found her.

She was standing at the bottom on terra firma.

I had hit paydirt, the motherload.

The Holy Grail.

She was tertiary and tarnished.

At her feet were various, tantalizing tidbits.

Bibles and Qurans.

Ancient books of philosophy.

Flags and banners.

Monuments and statues.

Even a sword and scales of justice.

In her hands, she held a large book.

In it were words, scrawled like godly graffiti.

I could see it but I could not extract it.

Could not hold it in my hands, embrace it or carry it with me.

I stood and admired her for a very long time.

I took solace in her before the long climb back out.

While I was with her, it got very crowded.

I could barely see her face and it appeared to be shrouded.

The people were uncomfortable, clawing and wailing.

They clutched their hands over their chests and seemed to be ailing.

With guile, I tried to craft ways to acquire her book.

In the end, I did not have to; all it took was one last look.

Much time had passed by; I was old now and falling apart.

The truth had always been with me ...

... it was the love in my own heart ... 

Reviews

[Tony Jordan]

I enjoyed going on this quest Pete. It is filled with colour and vivid scenes. It reminded me of two things as I read - one was a Suzanne Vega song in which she speaks of the various ways people have have employed through history to see the future the other was also a song by The Waterboys called Glastonbury song which you'll know by the refrain 'I just found God where he always was..."
Waterboys - Glastonbury song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug7bVBxtAbM

S. Vega - Predictions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aN-1fqRb6A

An epic piece Pete in every meaning of the word.
:)

[Pete]

ty Tony. I shall give both a listen. :)

[Giulia King]

Beautifully written, Pete! I love the vivid image it gave as I was reading it. It took me on a journey :)

[Pete]

thanks Gullia. always ... :)

[Diamond]

Pete, this is by far my most favorite writing of yours. I loved the story telling and the story itself. It leaves the reader with a contentment, a feeling of solace. Beautifully written.

[Pete]

really? i'm surprised Queen. didn't think it was that good when i was writing it. hmm, thank you so much for appreciating it! you are very encouraging and i thank you. :)

[Diamond]

It is my pleasure Pete. I do not know much about the technicalities of writing, however the sound of your poem is beautiful. And the feeling you evoke is great. And I am a frequent visitor of your profile as you are for me. So I could relate to it somewhat. It is very nice.

[Lydia Shutter]

It does seem as though truth has taken the stagecoach out of Dodge sometimes. Excellent rhyming and rhythm. Indeed, the truth is inside of each person. Lydi**

[Pete]

thanks Lydi. ur funny. i like your style!