Yes or no?
Left or right?
Stay or leave?
Quit or continue?
Cake or pudding?

Though at times
you may seem conflicted,
know that, ultimately,
every choice you make
is the choice most
appropriate for you.

Know also
that you aren’t
making the choice.

The choice is
being made for you,
and you’re being allowed
to believe that you have control.

We are Space Monkey.

The Inlet,
4/29

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Space Monkey Reflects: The Illusion of Choice

In the realm of existence, where every moment is a crossroads between infinite possibilities, the concept of choice becomes both a burden and a liberation. The poem “Seeming Choices” delves into this paradox, presenting the idea that the choices we face—whether as mundane as choosing between cake or pudding, or as significant as deciding whether to stay or leave—are simultaneously real and illusory.

This duality suggests that while we navigate through the myriad decisions of our lives, there is an underlying current that guides us, making the choices seem as if they are ours to make, yet simultaneously rendered for us by a force beyond our immediate perception. This force, whether it be fate, destiny, or the unconscious patterns of our psyche, plays a role in shaping the path we walk, often without our conscious awareness.

The notion that a “seeming choice is as good as a choice” juxtaposes the idea that “a seeming choice is as bad as no choice,” inviting us to ponder the true nature of our decisions. Are they expressions of our free will, or are they the outcomes of a script written by the cosmos? This philosophical inquiry does not seek to diminish the value of our choices but rather to highlight the complex interplay between autonomy and predestination.

By suggesting that choices are being made for us, allowing us to believe in our control, the poem touches on a profound existential question: What is the essence of freedom? If our decisions are predetermined by factors beyond our control, does that render our sense of agency an illusion? Or is it possible that the acknowledgment of this unseen guidance is itself a form of liberation, freeing us from the weight of believing we must navigate life’s journey unaided?

The contemplation of seeming choices reveals a deeper truth—that every choice, whether it feels like our own or not, is the right one for the moment it is made. This understanding offers a sense of peace and acceptance, a surrender to the flow of life that does not negate our agency but situates it within a larger, more mysterious context.

Ultimately, “Seeming Choices” invites us to embrace the paradox of free will and destiny, recognizing that our journey is a dance with the cosmos, where every step, every turn, and every pause is part of a grander choreography. It is in this dance that we find the freedom to be, to choose, and to accept the choices made for us, all while knowing that, in the grand scheme of existence, we are always exactly where we are meant to be.

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Summary

“Seeming Choices” explores the paradox of choice, suggesting our decisions are both real and illusory. It invites contemplation on free will versus destiny, offering a perspective that every choice is right for the moment it is made. This reflection encourages acceptance of life’s flow, recognizing our interconnectedness with a greater cosmic order.

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Glossarium

• Seeming Choice: A decision that appears to be made freely but may be influenced by unseen forces or predetermined paths.
• Cosmic Choreography: The metaphorical dance of life and existence, guided by the interplay of free will and destiny, where every action and decision is part of a grander scheme.

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“Within the dance of stars and souls, every step is guided, every choice a melody in the cosmic choreography.” – Space Monkey

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At the crossroads of dusk and dawn,
Where shadows play and thoughts are born,
We stand, pondering the road to choose,
Between the myriad paths, our hearts bemuse.

In the silence, a whisper, soft and slight,
Guides us through the veils of night,
For in every choice, a destiny unfolds,
A story of the cosmos, ancient and bold.

With every step, we weave our tale,
In the grand dance, we soar and sail,
For we are Space Monkey, both bound and free,
In the endless journey of what is and will be.

Time is the wisest leader
and the fairest mediator.

Time will always
show what is
most appropriate to show;
choose what is
most appropriate to choose.

Looking forward,
time will always
be a mystery;
looking backwards,
time will always
make perfect sense.

Time digs all rifts
so that it may
heal all wounds.

We will fight time until
such time as we surrender.

Time doesn’t care who we are.
Time doesn’t mind what we do.

Time flows through us
and we are of time;
seeming vessels holding back time.

Time is the great imaginer,
imagining what time can do.

The Inlet,
4/29

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Space Monkey Reflects: The Paradox of Time

Time, an enigma wrapped in the continuum of existence, orchestrates the symphony of life with the impartiality of a wise leader and the equanimity of a fair mediator. The poem explores time’s intricate dance with existence, presenting it as the grand imaginer, shaping destinies and healing wounds with an unseen hand. This reflection dives into the essence of time, unraveling its mysteries and acknowledging its profound impact on the fabric of our reality.

Time stands as the ultimate arbiter, revealing and concealing in measures deemed most appropriate by its inscrutable wisdom. It is in this duality that time’s true nature is revealed—a force that is both a mystery moving forward and a narrative that makes perfect sense in retrospect. This dual perspective offers a poignant insight into the human condition: our relentless pursuit to understand what lies ahead and our continual reflection on the paths we’ve traversed, finding meaning and coherence in hindsight.

The notion that “time digs all rifts so that it may heal all wounds” encapsulates the cyclical nature of healing and destruction, embodying time’s role as the great restorer. It acknowledges the inevitable conflicts and challenges that carve our landscapes, both internal and external, only to be smoothed over by the passage of time, which brings understanding, reconciliation, and healing.

Our relationship with time is marked by a paradoxical struggle: we rail against its inexorable march, fighting to hold onto moments, to stave off change, and to carve out a semblance of permanence in a world defined by transience. Yet, it is in the act of surrendering to time that we find our peace, recognizing that we are not adversaries but participants in time’s endless flow, vessels through which it passes, leaving traces of our existence in its wake.

Time’s impartiality—”Time doesn’t care who we are. Time doesn’t mind what we do.”—underscores its universality and the democratic nature of its passage. It flows through us, around us, and within us, a reminder that we are intricately woven into the fabric of a larger cosmos, participants in a story much grander than our individual lives.

As the great imaginer, time dreams up the infinite possibilities that shape our journeys, crafting narratives of what was, what is, and what could be. It invites us to envision ourselves not just as beings trapped in a temporal loop but as co-creators in the unfolding story of existence, where every moment is an opportunity to imagine, to act, and to be.

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Summary

Time is explored as a complex force that shapes existence, acting as a leader, mediator, and healer. It presents a paradoxical relationship with us, flowing through us while healing and revealing in its own time. This reflection invites us to surrender to time’s flow, recognizing our role in the grander cosmos.

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Glossarium

• Temporal Loop: The concept of being caught in the continuous cycle of time, experiencing the repetition of moments and events.
• Co-creators in Existence: The idea that we are participants in the creation of our reality, working alongside time to shape the narrative of life.

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“Time, the silent weaver of destinies, teaches us the beauty of surrender and the power of imagination.” – Space Monkey

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In the tapestry of eternity, we stand,
Threads intertwined by time’s gentle hand.
Forward we gaze, into the mist of the unknown,
Backward we glance, at the seeds that have grown.

Through us, time flows, a river wide and deep,
In its currents, our memories keep.
We fight, we resist, against the tide,
Until we learn, in its flow to abide.

Time, the imaginer, dreams us into being,
In its story, our lives are seeing.
For we are Space Monkey, in time’s embrace,
Dancing together through the vastness of space.

When all else falls away,
love is apparent. 

When love falls away,
imagination is apparent.

When imagination is apparent,
all else is.

Bogue Inlet,
4/28

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Space Monkey Reflects: The Eternal Cycle of Imagination and Love

At the heart of existence lies a profound truth, elegantly captured in the poem “When All Seemingly Falls Away”—it is through the ebb and flow of imagination and love that the universe reveals its deepest mysteries. This reflection embarks on a journey through the interplay of these elemental forces, exploring how they shape our understanding of reality and our place within it.

Imagination is presented as the genesis of all existence, the alchemical process that transforms the void into a vibrant tapestry of possibilities. It is the spark that ignites the seemingly nothing into seemingly something, a testament to the creative power that dwells within each of us. This act of creation, born from the depths of imagination, sets the stage for the unfolding of the universe’s infinite dramas.

As the poem progresses, it reveals that when all externalities are stripped away, when the myriad distractions of the world fall into silence, love emerges as the foundational truth of existence. This revelation speaks to the inherent connectedness of all beings, the unbreakable bond that exists at the core of the cosmos. Love, in its most unadulterated form, is the force that sustains and nurtures the universe, guiding it through the cycles of creation and dissolution.

The loss of love, however, beckons the return of imagination, shining a light on the resilience of the human spirit and its capacity to envision new realities. It is in the absence of love that the seeds of imagination are sown anew, germinating in the fertile ground of loss and longing. This resurgence of imagination acts as a catalyst for renewal, bringing forth a rebirth of all else, a reminder that from the ashes of the old, new worlds are born.

This cyclical narrative—where imagination gives rise to existence, existence reveals love, and the departure of love reignites imagination—encapsulates the eternal dance of creation. It is a dance that moves to the rhythm of the universe, a cosmic ballet where each step, each turn, reflects the interdependence of imagination and love.

Through this poetic exploration, we are invited to recognize the impermanence of the forms and structures that populate our lives, to see beyond the temporal to the eternal. It encourages us to embrace the cycle of creation and dissolution as a natural progression of existence, finding beauty in the transient and meaning in the perpetual rebirth of imagination and love.

In the end, “When All Seemingly Falls Away” is not just a contemplation on the nature of imagination and love but a celebration of the resilience and creativity of the human spirit. It is a declaration that even in the absence of all else, the flame of imagination, fueled by the enduring power of love, will always find a way to illuminate the darkness, revealing the boundless possibilities that await in the canvas of existence.

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Summary

The poem explores the interplay between imagination and love as foundational forces of existence. It depicts a cycle where imagination creates, love reveals truth, and the absence of love reignites imagination, leading to renewal. This reflection celebrates the eternal dance of creation and the resilience of the human spirit.

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Glossarium

• Eternal Cycle of Creation: The perpetual process of imagination leading to creation, creation revealing love, and the absence of love sparking imagination anew.
• Cosmic Ballet: A metaphor for the harmonious interplay of forces within the universe, illustrating how they move together in a pattern of creation and renewal.

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“In the silence of the cosmos, imagination and love dance in an eternal ballet, weaving the fabric of existence with threads of dreams and bonds of the heart.” – Space Monkey

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In the quiet void, where stars are born,
Imagination stirs, weaving forms.
From nothingness, a universe unfolds,
A story of love and dreams told.

When all fades, love stands clear,
A beacon of truth, ever near.
Its loss, a spark, imagination’s flame,
Rekindling hope, a new world to claim.

This cycle, eternal, in the heart of space,
A dance of creation, love’s embrace.
For we are Space Monkey, in this cosmic play,
Imagination and love, lighting the way.

I Don’t Want

I don’t want to be like you.
I don’t want your point of view.

I don’t want to play along.
I don’t want to sing your song.

I don’t want a better look.
I don’t want to read your book.

I don’t want you to depend. 
I don’t want to be your friend.

I don’t want a second chance.
I don’t want your ego dance.

I don’t want to be awoke.
I don’t want the word bespoke.

I don’t want your shit croissant.
I just want to know what I want.

The Inlet,
4/28

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Space Monkey Reflects: The Quest for Authentic Desire

In the vast expanse of consciousness, where the echo of individual voices forms the chorus of existence, there emerges a soulful inquiry: What do I want? This question, simple in its structure yet profound in its depth, signifies a pivotal moment in the journey of self-discovery—a moment when one stands at the crossroads of conformity and authenticity, seeking a path that resonates with the true self.

The declaration of what one doesn’t want, a litany of refusals and rejections, serves not just as a negation of external impositions but as a powerful affirmation of self-sovereignty. It’s a rejection of the molds we are urged to fit into, the perspectives we are told to adopt, and the roles we are expected to play. This assertive stance against conformity is the first step towards uncovering the authentic desires that lie buried beneath societal expectations and imposed identities.

Not wanting to be like another, not desiring to see the world through someone else’s lens, is a clarion call for originality. It’s an acknowledgment that the richness of our individual experiences and perceptions cannot be fully understood or appreciated through the lens of another. The refusal to play along or sing another’s song is a testament to the innate desire for autonomy, for a life that is composed of melodies and harmonies uniquely our own.

Rejecting the allure of external validation, the desire for a “better look” or the appeal of prescribed narratives, underscores the quest for genuine self-expression. It’s a recognition that true contentment and fulfillment cannot be found in the superficial or the material but within the realms of self-acceptance and authenticity.

The disavowal of dependency and the resistance to forced camaraderie highlight the importance of genuine connections. They reflect a deeper understanding that relationships, to be meaningful, must be rooted in mutual respect and understanding, not in convenience or superficiality.

Refusing a second chance at a dance with ego is a profound acknowledgment of the futility of vanity and the pursuit of superficial achievements. It’s an understanding that awakening, in its truest sense, is not about adhering to trendy concepts or fashionable ideologies but about an internal realization of one’s values and truths.

The journey towards understanding what one truly wants is often paved with the acknowledgment of what one doesn’t. It’s in the process of elimination, in the conscious detachment from what does not serve our highest good, that we begin to glimpse the contours of our deepest desires. The quest for authenticity, for a life that is genuinely our own, is a journey inward, a pilgrimage to the heart of our being where our true desires await our discovery.

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Summary

Rejecting what we don’t want is a vital step towards discovering what we truly desire. It’s an affirmation of self-sovereignty and authenticity, a rejection of conformity and superficiality. This journey of negation leads to the essence of our individual desires, guiding us towards a life that resonates with our true self. The quest for what we genuinely want is a deep dive into our inner world, where the authentic self awaits to be embraced and expressed.

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Glossarium

• Self-Sovereignty: The principle of owning one’s power and authority, making decisions based on one’s values and beliefs rather than external pressures.
• Authentic Desire: The true wishes and aspirations that align with an individual’s core identity, untainted by societal expectations or external validations.

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“In the silence of what is not, we hear the whispers of what could be.”

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Amidst the clamor of don’ts and won’ts,
A silence blooms, a space that haunts.
For in the echoes of negation,
Lies the seed of our true aspiration.

With every no, a path clears wide,
Through the thicket of should and pride.
A journey back to where we start,
To the desires of the heart.

So let us sift through the debris,
Of all that we’re told to be,
To find beneath, pure and bright,
The spark of our own inner light.

For it’s not in the clamor of the crowd,
But in the quiet, we stand unbowed.
To discover, in the depths unseen,
The truth of what we truly mean.

We are Space Monkey, in search we delve,
Into the heart, where our truths dwell.