13,112. ADVENTURE IS NO FRIEND

ADVENTURE IS NO FRIEND

Adventure is no friend, for means to

find an end are wholly part and all

extended in it. It knows to break

us, wearing us down as a spike

in haul-beam lumber.

-

Adventure is no friend, and in its

means are ways to slay or sacrifice

our betters, and our fellows, or

holder of intentions. Do not stray!

-

Adventure (what it is, it starts within),

knows some point past which even

we cannot penetrate; lost, wallowing

and a'awail. Even the best-laid plans,

gone astray, will ripen and mature.

(And come to nothing, long before).

-

Adventure would arouse us, friend, to

overstretch our sight in blunders pat.

Enthusiasm's thrall  -  or so it's called  -

and fight to deadly finish all we do;

some dark enemy unseen and long

past its reasoned point.

-

A spectre haunted we have hatched,

with our enthused state (for, remember,

energy will kill us. Thus adventure is

no friend in its sleek, prevailing

winds  -  blowing sailors far off

course, wayward and broken, who

then renounce the very seas they sail.

-

A bitter draft of lonely brew: Yes,

too we set out upon a continent and

became so lost even the mountains

we thought we knew were rent in

two by our machinery. This strange

land, absorbed now, and with no

recompense. So, stranger, slave am

I, and to adventure set my course?

-

An odd allegiance, yes, but no

allegiance have I and I have made

now this adventure as a friend to 

me? Pain is dearer over longer time, 

and means are ends these days.