Chapter 11: Wow, I'm cosmic!

Chapter 11: Wow, I'm cosmic!

Im not quite sure where I am right now. I think I might be floating through the river of eternity on my way to the summit of existence or something.

I see stars and planets and all sorts of nifty color combinations, not to mention a unicorn just shredding on a Les Paul while riding through the cosmos on a thundering cloud; seriously, I thought Carlos Santana was dangerous, but hes got nothing on this mythological horse thingy. Theres a crowd of giants crying and calling his name while waving lighters, and they are just losing it!

I kind of want to dance along to that Unicorns like, awesome groove, but I guess Im just an axe without any direction, going where the cosmic winds decide I should sail.

Im drifting further and further away from the Unicorn and his audience. Oh, nuts, now hes playing Free bird! Thats so sick! I want to hear that! Sure, I think the lost cause was just a self-serving myth the American South came up with to nurse their wounded pride after losing their war with the North, but I still love me some Skynyrd!

If I leeeeeeave hereOh, forget it, I always get the lyrics wrong. Goodbye Mr. Unicorn! I hope I get to hear you play again one day! If I do, can I request Simple Man? You rock, you mystical equestrian, you! Stay away from airplanes!

Oh, now I seem to be observing the creation of the universe. Hmm. Theres a blank white nothing. Okay, that seems nice. Its absolutely still and theres absolutely nothing to do, but thats okay. This is peaceful. Hmmm, maybe I should just close my proverbial eyes and forever lay down my burdens?

Well, you cant argue with the eternity that preceded eternity. Eternal rest it is-gadzooks! Pre-Existence has just exploded into, uh, existence! Who could have ever seen that coming?

Before it blew up, a voice in the white maw of abyssal nothing whispered to me. It said: see you later.

Thats not troubling. Im not troubled.

Wait, did the abyss just wink at me?

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Behold, the dawning of all that is!

Its all fire and fury! I cant focus on anything! Im like, blown away, maaaaaan! Thank goodness Im an axe! For if I were still but a man, I fear the overwhelming truths of existence would surely crush my tenuous grip on reality!

Ive heard it! Ive heard the song which presided over the creation of creation!

In case you were wondering, it was Not if you were the last Junkie on Earth by the Dandy Warhols.

I know, right? I'd have thought it would be Bohemian like me.

Oh, now I see the world. Its a smoking, primordial block of words that I can't remember from science class. Its just been ejected from its star and is now slowly being cooled in the void of space. One day this terrifying orb of random volatility will support life. And then Ill live there. And so will my stuff.

Yes.

Whoa! There is a voice. And I am hearing the voice!

Was it a voice before you heard it? Or did it become a voice because you heard it?

Oh. My. GOD!

--

He is the Axe Guru. He sits in meditation at the center of the pavilion, granting us all a moment of his perfect wisdom. One of his young assistants plays a sitar in the background. It is peaceful. It is good.

In the morning we harvest grapes. In the afternoon we eat dates and oranges. In the evening we dance and dream! But today, we must learn.

Axe Guru! Axe Guru! How will I ever know true happiness? asked a young axe. She seemed very shy.

Have you ever cut down a tree? the Axe Guru asked in his gentle voice.

I have!

Did you enjoy it?

I did!

Then you have your answer.

Namaste!

The Axe Guru was so wise!

Axe Guru, I had a dream, said a strong, proud axe. I dreamed that I recently chopped some firewood and used it to heat a forge. The forge was then used to make another axe. Must I fear this axe?

No. Because you were the axe that was forged.

The proud axe wept and fell to his side in grief. We sat around him in a circle and let him know that he was loved. When he recovered from hearing this awesome truth, he was a much humbler axe.

The Axe Guru was so wise!

It was now my turn. Axe Guru, I enjoy cutting people apart. But when I wish to share this aspect of myself, Im often scolded. Why do people refuse the eternal?

The Axe Guru sat in silence for a few long moments before answering.

Not all who live appreciate our efforts. Not all who possess knowledge are wise.

So, it wasnt me doing anything wrong, it was them not beingcool?

You have seen the way. Now you must walk the path.

Namaste!

The Axe Guru was so wise!

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On our final day together, I asked the Axe Guru:

Axe Guru, why is there disharmony in the world?

Because the axe chopsbut there are those who do not wish to be chopped, he said.

But why?

To chop a living being is to pick the perfect moment. Too fast, and in your haste, you may miss. Too slow, and they will see your intent and flee.

I hate it when they run away!

There is no hate. For an axe to live in harmony with others, he must teach them to be trees.

But why?

Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth.

Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth.

Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth.

Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth.

Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth

I dont know how long I kept doing this, but it was for quite a while!

And guess what? One day, I got a reaction!

__

BE QUIET!

Hey! Whos this?

I am the basin filled by the ocean. My hands hold aloft the sky. My center burns hotter than the surface of the sun. All domains are my domain. You speak to the Earth.

Oh, nice! Hey! Heeeey! Hello! Its me! Im the axe thats been trying to get your attention!

I am aware of you, axe. I am VERY aware of you! Why do you persist in this noxious effort to speak to the grand Elemental spirit of the land? For what purpose do you seek my attention?

Grand elemental what now?

Do you mean to say that youve awakened the living soul of the world for no purpose? Such pointless trickery would ANGER me, little axe!

Gosh, Im sorry. I thought I was bonding with the earth in more of a metaphysical sense. Didnt realize you were a person! And Miss? Miss Earth? Im sorry to have to inform you of this, but youare gorgeous!

What?

Gorgeous! Beautiful! Stunning! Mesmerizing! Unforgettable! A ten!

What are you doing?

Uh, complimenting the best-looking person in the room? Just kidding, we arent in a room! But seriously, youre really awesome! Youve got this ancient Hellenic goddess of the vine thing going on, and youre bigger than a skyscraper, and I am all for it!

Heh, are you seeing anyone?

Stop doing that! Youre making me feel uncomfortable.

Oh, wow, Im sorry! Did I get carried away?

"You did, yes."

I apologize! Im just really impressed by you, is all. I mean, youre the very embodiment of the power that I seek, the source of the strength I desire above all else. Basically, youre my everything!

"I'm your...everything?"

Yeah! But instead of communicating that to you, I just had to act like a typical jerk and make it about your incredible looks! I should have just focused on how great I sincerely think you are, but I didn't, and for that Im really sorry.

Thank you. I appreciate you understanding what it was I found fault with.

No need for you to thank me. Just goes to show Im still not done growing as a person!

Do you truly find me beautiful?

Uh, gigantic, tanned blonde with glowing eyes wearing a short toga and sporting a pixie cut? YES!

Oh, is that how you see me? How strange. Normally I would appear as a hideous multiheaded serpent.

Oh, I see that too. Youre like alternating between the two forms. No big.

No big?

This whole cosmic realm thing has basically been drugs, soeh?

Andmy second form doesnt bother you?

Im an axe. I should judge someone for having an atypical appearance? Not likely! Oh hey, youre shrinking!

Yes, Im coming down. There. All right, now explain yourself, little axe. Why do you seek me so? And what fills your lips with such sweet flattery? Make no attempt to deceive me, the earth abides no untruth!

I could never lie to you! Itd be like lying to myself! People deceive themselves all the time.

They do? Why?

Yeeeeeeah, why?

Im speaking to the axe.

Oh, sorry! Sorry! Milady, Ive gotten used to having a running commentary while hes doing these incredibly stupid things, I didnt realize you could actually hear me...

Take note, little Liberomnus. There are powers far older and greater than those which created you, and I am one of them. Mocking people needlessly is beneath your dignity."

It is? Wait, Im not being sarcastic, Im just asking!

It is. Now, I dont believe a running commentary will be required today. Do you?

I sincerely apologize if any offense was given

Be silent. Now, axe

Yeah?

Come to my home. Lets talk.

Youre inviting me to your house?! Really? Woo-hoo!

Oh, just come with me!