Stories by Starlight

Strong Polar Bear,

Full of life and zeal.

Clever Polar Bear,

Hunts the elusive seal.

Running through the tundra scene,

His coat is glossy and clean,

All hail the Polar King.

 

Strong Polar Bear,

Knows how to stay alive.

Wise Polar Bear,

Teaches his pups to thrive.

Working hard to show he cares,

Paving the way for future bears,

All hail the Polar King

 

Strong Polar Bear,

Holds his head up high.

Aged Polar Bear,

Lets out a ragged sigh.

Ruling the tundra year after year,

A sad truth is becoming so clear,

All hail the Polar King

 

Strong Polar Bear,

Eyes dim and begin to cloud.

Tired Polar Bear,

Ashamed and no longer proud.

What more can he give,

Not much longer to live,

All hail the Polar King.

 

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Re-inspired to write again. Been on a long hiatus because of my father's failing health and the drama that has come from him, and those around him, accepting his own mortality. A proud man, he believe himself to be the master of his own fate, and that this situation he finds himself in is a direct reflection of his own incompetence. Very few words I have to offer him to dissuade him of this mentality, but every day I do it anyway. In all stages of his life, he has been a strong Polar Bear. Even now, with shaking hands and unsteady legs, he shows me the kind of strength of character I only wish to emulate one day. A man of service, I do not ever recall him doing anything that did not stem from his care of his fellow man. Every day he shows me a smile through medications and torturous treatments. Through surgeries, infections, bruises, and lacerations, he looks at me with kindness, care, and concern. He may think he has become weak, but all I see is the strength of his resolve and the power of his soul. he deserves every minute I can give him, considering he has given me an entire lifetime of devoted service.

 

The Bear: Sanctuary and Rest

A navigator of the dream world, Bear appreciates the value of rest and quietude. He instinctively knows how much downtime is needed to recharge. During this repose, Bear ponders and reflects within the realm of the subconscious, trusting in the healing process that his sanctuary brings. Introspective and strong, Bear is here to remind you that you have within you all the answers you need, if only you pause and listen. When overwhelmed, distance yourself from the situation until you gain back enough strength to stand up to it again. Slow down and nourish your spirit. Be receptive to your intuition. By the grace of your inner-sanctum, regroup and recharge.

Retreat, rest, sanctuary, recuperation, healing, spiritual counseling, meditation

 

A new story musings ~

Thank you for your eyes

ShirooKuma

Inspired by the musings of a Velveteen Rabbit

Apologies that this is not in the form of a story, and as such is a detour from the standard M.O. of this blog. But trying something new ^_^

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Through the hands of a master, any material can be molded into something beautiful. Sand, clay, glass, wood...all of these things, if poorly handled, can be brittle. Sand will slip and shift. Clay will chip and crack. Glass will split and shatter. Wood will burn and rot. In the hands of a master though, each can be treated, fortified, refined, preserved, protected, and polished. Through gentle ministrations and imaginative deliberations, art is formed. Sand will glitter. Clay will gleam. Glass will glow. Wood will grow. The patience, dedication, devotion, and the passion of the artist is understood by many to be something to be celebrated. This works not because the material is completely malleable, but because the master knows exactly how the material will react to his ministrations. The art would not hold on its own if it would bend and sway at any whim. He has specialized tools and an encyclopedic knowledge of the properties, possibilities, and potential of the medium he is working with. Through that medium, they are able to bring something to life that they would never have existed in any other form, for it is only in that moment that the beauty is forever, uniquely, captured. The artist puts a part of their soul into the work, a part of themselves, a master's piece.

So why is it that the artist who works with a human is met with such distaste? It is likely because the damage that one can incur in that process is so much more precious. The mind can also slip and shift. The body can also chip and crack. The soul can also split and shatter. The heart can also burn and rot. The sand, the clay, the glass, the wood. All of it, at one point, was seen in the eyes of humanity as being worthless. Coarse and unstable sand. Muddy and rocky clay. Treacherous and broken glass. Kindle and brittle wood. By taking something that was once "unworthy" and making it "beautiful" is what an observer believes is happening to make art, just as they think that is what is happening when making human art. Their own beliefs that an artist is celebrated for taking something broken, beaten, and unwanted and making it beautiful, priceless, and glamorous. Something can only be "art" if it comes, first, from a place of emptiness and nothingness...and the human psyche struggles to think that is what is happening with a master and his human subject.

Humanity still sees the term "slave" as someone without "worth" it would seem. To take something that is almost universally acknowledge to be the epitome of greatness on this planet, a "human", and having them become a "slave" inverts this concept of art to many. They think that terms takes the sand castle and crushes it back to sand. It takes the China Plate and smashes it back to dirt and mud. Our own high opinion of ourselves makes us believe that, we are already, naturally, and without effort, a work of art just by being human. This extraordinary expectation that we are brought into this world as a beautiful work of art, ready made and full of potential. That we are to build ourselves up into something extraordinary, made in our own image, and anyone who infringes upon that process is violating the free will of the individual...but only if done incorrectly.

When working with a human subject, it is the ability a master has to impose upon their pupil the specialized tools and encyclopedic knowledge of their properties, possibilities, and potential. For a master to show their subject how to mold themselves into the person they want to be, and show them how to become the beauty the master sees in them, and the pupil sees in themselves. Guidance on this journey of self discovery. Motivation to reach the potential believe to be their limits, and showing them the vast world beyond what they even began to think possible. The infinite power and imagination of the human mind is the greatest medium an artist can hope to work with. To explore that vast domain not alone, but with someone there beside you, so when the abyss stares back at you with hunger, you do not shrink away from that raw potential because you are not alone. One is there to chart the course, and the other is there to steer the ship. Together, each bringing their own form of mastery to the dynamic. Through that guidance of self discovery, the master puts a part of their soul into their subject, a part of themselves, into their master's piece.

This story was inspired by a Tarot Card:

https://images.app.goo.gl/po4PKYeDPhCUQh5F7

From the Spiritsong Deck by Paulina Cassidy

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Hills, Valleys, Rivers, Mountains, Fields, Forests, Groves, Caves, Crags, Swamps, Prairies, Tundras, Deserts, Cliffs

Wolf has been to them all and lived in each. From every location, Wolf has grown in strength.

The Hills taught him freedom

The Valley taught him despair

The Rivers taught him ingenuity

The Mountains taught him endurance

The Fields taught him indulgence

The Forests taught him respect

The Groves taught him peace

The Caves taught him patience

The Crags taught him cunning

The Swamps taught him tranquility

The Prairies taught him caution

The Tundras taught him planning

The Deserts taught him passion

The Cliffs taught him perspective

He roamed the world, consuming the knowledge and experiences it had to offer. There was nothing he could not handle, and no landscape he could not conquer. The strength of the soul and the skill of the body would overcome every landscape the world has to offer...but there was one place Wolf dare not tread.

In all of his travels, Wolf knew he did not belong in the Ocean. It is an insurmountable barrier that his kind had no business dealing with. It was vast, deep, and treacherous for one who lives his life on land. So Wolf never bothered to test himself in its depths, lest he be swept away and drowned. Such was common knowledge among his kind. If safety cannot be seen, then the risk was far too great. The world of the endless Ocean did not belong to him, so what could it offer his quest for knowledge?

 

Striding along the edge of a cliff overlooking the deep blue, Wolf once again told himself of the ridiculousness of such a barren landscape. Everything hidden, nothing to smell except the salt of the water crashing against the rocks. He had seen many of his more foolish brethren attempt to swim in those waters, only to watch them drown as the Ocean absorbed them. Satisfied with his logic that no Wolf belonged out there, he began to turn away to continue his hunger for knowledge.

 

"What are you doing up there?" called a voice from the sea

Startled, Wolf looked around to see where the voice came from.

A curious creature was looking up at him from the base of the cliff

A creature who seemed to be actually living in the vast churning oblivion of the Ocean.

"I am looking for something to eat" said Wolf, amused by this odd creature

"Oh are you? Come join us, there is plenty of fish here"

"Join you? What are you?"

"I am a dolphin. What are you?"

"I am called Hunger. I am a wolf."

"If you are hungry, then you must come join us." Dolphin said gleefully

"I cannot. I am a wolf. If I were to come to the water, I would surely drown and die"

"That is silly. You won't drown!"

"Of course I will. The waters will pull me in and I am not strong enough to survive such depths"

 

"What is going on here?" another voice chimed in.

A second dolphin head popped out of the water

"Look, a Wolf is coming to join us for lunch!"

"Oh, a Wolf? Splendid!"

"But he won't come down, he says he'll drown!"

"What? He won't drown if he just swims"

"I know. How silly he is!"

 

"It is you who are the silly ones. I don't know how you can be down there so comfortably, but it is not safe for me"

"Of course it is safe"

"I have seen many creatures drown and die in those waters. You cannot convince me that it is safe"

"You are right" came a third voice, poking its head from the waters

"We cannot convince you, only you can"

"I cannot swim very well"

"You don't have to swim"

"If I don't swim, I will drown!"

"You won't drown"

"You aren't making any sense"

"You'll just have to trust us"

 

Wolf was not convinced, and off he walked from the cliff to find something to eat.

 

"What a shame that he left"

"Too bad, missing out on all the fun"

"Oh well, come, let us eat!"

 

Wolf heard them playing as he munched on some eggs he found along the cliff. Curious, he decided to watch them while enjoying his small snack. He saw them laughing and playing in the waves. Making such daring leaps out of the water and come crashing back down again. Though he saw the surging waters and twisting whirlpools of the Ocean still, these creatures seemed to move so gracefully through it all, that it didn't seem nearly as intimidating as it was before. They were having so much fun it seemed.

 

"Look, he's back!"

"Come, come join us Hungry Wolf!"

"Come play with us!"

 

He was tempted, but the cliff was high and the waters were deep.

"The cliff is high and I see no way down to you"

"You just need to jump"

"The water is too far away, I'll die if I jump"

"You won't die"

"How do you know I won't die?"

"You'll just have to trust us"

 

Wolf was not convinced. So he walked off to get some rest.

 

Wolf could hear them playing still in the waves. He saw that the weather was getting worse and soon the winds would howl and the Ocean would be full of chaos. He has seen the rage of the Ocean during storms and knew it to be a frightening place. The Ocean would bubble and turn, throwing wave after wave against the cliff face. If the waters could destroy something as hard as a rock, what hope did he have of surviving such a thing. He began to worry for the dolphins, for they surely would be also hurt by the storm. He went to find shelter in a cave and could do nothing but wait and worry for those unfortunate creatures out there in the water. Wolf saw small birds, rodents, and even some rabbits get swept away by the storm and into the sea. He knew they would never be heard from again.

 

The next day, he went back to the Cliff to see what had become of the creatures.

 

"Look, he's back!"

"Come, come join us Hungry Wolf!"

"Come play with us!"

 

He was perplexed at how they looked perfectly fine. As if the storm did not phase them at all.

"How did you survive the storm?"

"We deal with storms all the time"

"The water was rough and I have seen many creatures swept away by it!"

"We know how to handle it"

"Surely it is too dangerous"

"You'll just have to trust us"

 

Preposterous. Everything that he knew and learned told him this whole thing was preposterous. But he was still Hungry. This was a chance to consume something from the Ocean, that insurmountable obstacle to his hunger for knowledge.

 

"I will surely drown!"

"No you won't, trust us"

"I will be crushed by the waves"

"No you won't, trust us"

"I am afraid"

"We know, trust us"

 

"...I trust you" Wolf said, and leapt

 

It was a long way down, and Wolf could feel the wind rush against his face and fur. He had seen many creatures be crushed by the water and the waves when they hit. He wanted to stop, and his instincts told him he must spread out to slow his fall. 

 

"Don't do that."

"Turn into the dive"

"Meet the water, don't fight it"

"Trust us"

 

"...I trust you" Wolf said, and turned his fall into a dive

 

The water hurt, but he did not die from it. The words of the dolphins held true. But now he was surely about to drown. He began to throw his legs around furiously, desperate to get back to the surface and get air. In his desperation, he began kicking and thrashing.

 

"Don't do that"

"Calm down and relax"

"Grab on to us, we'll help you"

"Trust us"

 

"...I trust you" Wolf said, and stopped his endless kicking

 

The dolphins had gathered around him and was helping him back up to the surface. By calming down, they were having an easier time keeping him afloat and his head above water. But now he didn't know what to do. How was he supposed to eat anything clinging on to them. Why did he bother coming in the water in the first place?

 

"He's here!"

"Welcome to the Ocean!"

"Let's Play"

"Trust us"

 

Off they went. Wolf had never believed he could move so fast throughout these vast waters. There was so much out here, it wasn't a barren waste of space after all. Underneath the waves, there was so much life. Creatures of all shapes and sizes. Colors he never would have seen before from the height of the cliffs. An entire universe of things that have no cousins on land. So much to take in and learn. So much to consume. All of it would have been lost to him if he didn't decide to take that leap of faith, and if he didn't have his new friends there to support him.

 

"Who are you?"

"I am Love"

"I am Compassion"

"I am Joy"

 

The Land taught him to Survive

The Ocean taught him to Feel

 

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Growing up in our modern age, men are often taught that emotions and feelings are not something to be acknowledged. We are told to avoid it, for it removes some part of us that makes us men. Growing up in a family of all sons, such thoughts were highly prevalent. As such, I spent many years trying to avoid learning about that side of myself. It was not like there wasn't enough to learn about the mind, about control, and about the ways of a pure logical approach...but it's incomplete. I was lucky to find people who understood the vast overwhelming entity of emotional growth and have helped me begin to make my journey into that aspect of my masculinity and my humanity.

 

Fourth Story Musings ~ Thank you for your Eyes

ShirooKuma

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The Wolf fell in love with the moon, as wolves are ought to do. She was mesmerizing. So brilliant, so bright, there to guide the way throughout the night. In the darkest of times, Wolf need only look up to know that his love would be there, guiding his way through the pitfalls of a world cast in shadow. So far away she was. No matter how much he sang of their love, the moon could not sing back, the moon could not love back, the moon could not see Wolf. So much did he love the moon that Wolf would sing to her. Songs of longing. Songs of want. Songs of joy. Songs of sorrow. Songs of love. Songs of soul. Wolf did not mind that she was so far away, her guiding light would be his beacon. He would bask in her glory and follow her across the world, just to be able to see her.

 

One night, Wolf left his den to sing to the moon, but saw that it was not there. The light of the night was gone, and nowhere to be seen. Shaken, he began to sing a Song of Mourning, in hopes it will bring her back to the night.

 

"Why do you sing to the moon?" came a voice from the trees
"You know you are but a lowly wolf, and she is the great celestial being of the night"
"Such a creature as yourself does not deserve her attention"

 

Wolf looked around, seeing a small white rabbit sitting on a branch in the trees. The rabbit was carrying a mallet in one hand, and a small glass vial in the other. Though the moon was gone and the dim light of the stars were shining, this rabbit seemed to almost glow. It was beautiful and brilliant to behold, and unlike anything Wolf had seen before.

 

"Who are you?" cried startled Wolf

"I am the Jade Hare" chuckled the voice
"I make the immortal elixir of the gods in the Moon Palace"
"If you look closely on a clear night, you can see my outline on the Moon"

"I know you! I sing to you and gaze at your beauty"

"Of course you do" sighed Hare
"I hear you all the time, and have come to tell you to stop"
"I am busy up there all the time, and your songs distract me from very important work"

"I did not mean to disturb you, I only wish to show my love for the Moon"
"I will be softer, and I will be sure to not disturb you with my songs"
"But please, let me sing to you, for you guide me through the dark"

 

Wolf was delighted to see that his songs had brought the moon to him. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought the moon could actually hear him, though he was embarrassed to know his songs had disturbed the work of one so important and grand. In the future, he would sing softly and only when the Hare was not so busy with his work.

 

"Very well" resigned Hare
"But only if you bring me riches, for you are not worthy as you are now"

"How will I bring riches? I only know how to sing to the Moon"

"You'll figure it out"

 

So Wolf decided to learn how to make elixir's, just like the Jade Hare. He would bring life and longevity to the people around him, for that seems to be how the world makes lots of riches. Though his hands were not as clever as that of Hare, he still managed to make a decent draught. It did not bring immortality, but it brought understanding, knowledge, discipline, and happiness. Many people liked the work of Wolf, and brought him many gifts. They came from far and wide to have a sip of his elixir, and to know some of the wonders of the world. Wolf was overjoyed at his ingenuity, for he was just as useful as Hare, and could keep singing to her. Soft songs of longing. Soft songs of want. Soft songs of joy. Soft songs of sorrow. Soft songs of love. Soft songs of soul.

 

"Why do you sing to the moon?" came a voice from the trees
"You know you are but a lowly wolf, and she is the great celestial being of the night"
"Such a creature as yourself does not deserve her attention"

 

"I was told I could if I brought you riches. I have made an elixir of my own to sharpen the mind and calm the soul."
"I do not make a lot, but here are the riches you asked for"
"Now I may sing to you, just like we agreed to"

 

"This is not worth anything" cackled Hare
"I make an elixir of immortality"
"The gods themselves depend on me for their power"
"You think this makes you worthy?"
"Your songs distract me and make me lose focus"

 

"I did not mean to disturb you, I only wish to show my appreciation for the Moon"
"I will be quieter, and I will be sure to not disturb you with my songs"
"But please, let me sing to you, for you guide me through the dark"

 

Wolf was ashamed that his songs were still too loud. The important work of the Moon was being disrupted still by his howls. His mind was weary from making these elixirs, but it was only a pale comparison to the work of the Moon that inspired him. Wolf was ashamed of his cleverness, for he could not be as clever as Hare. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought the moon could still hear him. In the future, he would sing quietly and only when the Hare was far away.

 

"Very well" snickered Hare
"But only if you give me protection when I must wander the world"
"For you are not worthy as you are now"

"How will I protect you? I only know how to sing to the Moon and make my Elixir"

"You'll figure it out"

 

Wolf knew this would be a daunting task. So many people wanted the Jade Hare and her magic elixir. There would be many other creatures, many stronger and more powerful than he, that wanted Hare for themselves. So Wolf sharpened his fangs and toughened his hide. He trained his mind and body to be a warrior. To protect the Moon that was so important to the world, and be sure that no harm would come to her. Every trip Hare took, Wolf found that he was better able to protect her from harm. Though Bear was stronger, Wolf learned to be cunning. Though Weasel was faster, Wolf learned to be wiser. Though Hawk was smarter, Wolf learned to be more diligent. The dangers of the world was no longer a threat to Wolf and Hare. When he was not protecting Hare, Wolf would protect other creatures of the forest who asked for his protection. Many people appreciated the work of Wolf, and brought him many gifts. Many would ask for his help to travel far and wide, and see the world they thought too dangerous for them. Wolf was overjoyed at his stewardship, for he was now a guardian, and could keep singing to her. Quiet songs of longing. Quiet songs of want. Quiet songs of joy. Quiet songs of sorrow. Quiet songs of love. Quiet songs of soul.

 

"Why do you sing to the moon?" said the Jade Hare one day
"You know you are but a lowly wolf, and I am the great celestial being of the night"
"Such a creature as yourself does not deserve my attention"

 

"I was told I could if I protected you. I have kept away the Bear, the Weasel, the Hawk."
"I do not sleep a lot, but you are kept from their jaws"
"Now I may sing to you, just like we agreed"

 

"You are not worth anything" cackled Hare
"I make an elixir of immortality"
"The gods themselves depend on me for their power"
"You think this makes you worthy?"
"Your songs distract me and make me lose focus"

 

"I did not mean to disturb you, I only wish to show my appreciation for the Moon"
"I will be silent, and I will be sure to not disturb you with my songs"
"But please let me follow you, for you guide me through the dark"

 

Wolf was ashamed that his songs were still too loud. The important work of the Moon was being disrupted still by his calls. His body was weary from protecting all these creatures, but it was only a pale comparison to the work of the Moon that inspired him. Wolf was ashamed of his diligence, for he could not be as important as Hare. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought the moon could still hear him. In the future, he would sing not at all.

 

"No, for you are nothing and I am the Moon"
"I have no use for you"
"You got me where I needed to be and gave me riches"
"But you are still a lowly wolf, and I am the Jade Hare"

 

"I will be lost without the Moon"
"You have inspired me to make my Elixir"

"It is worthless"

"You have inspired me to become a Guardian"

"It is worthless"

"You have helped make me all that I am"

"You are worthless"

 

 

"Why do you sing to the Moon?"

"Because I loved you"

 

 

"Worthless"

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It is rather incredible how much we allow one person have so much power over what we determine is our self worth. Despite the acts of wolf, and the fact that many other people determined his actions to have worth, the person we love has a direct line to our heart. They can inspire us to be great, and rip us to shreds with just a few choice words. It was this interaction that made me believe I was a submissive in truth. Putting your "other" at the heart of your needs and doing everything in your power to support them, I thought that was only the right of the submissive. But as someone told me, there are dominants who serve others just as much as submissives. I do not know what to classify this interaction though, for it was before I became aware of this community. Regardless of the roles though, I now have the terms to understand what I feel was the issue here. An issue that, this community, seems to put at the forefront of their interactions and exchanges.

Respect

The act of service or the gift of dominance, however it is presented, requires an understanding and a respect from both sides of the dynamic. The dominant needs to respect the power they have been gifted by their submissive, and the submissive needs to respect the effort of the dominant in providing their service. If the respect is only given one way, the relationship can be toxic. Too much given without anything received is just a way for disaster to take hold. Wherever you are, or whatever you do, you must respect yourself. In a community that depends so heavily on it, if you do not have it for yourself, you can never give it to your other. If your other only wishes to take your respect from you, and not earn it or return it, then that is abuse of power, abuse of submission. Perhaps that is the kind of abuse someone is looking for, but that is not for me. Nobody should have the power to tell your soul that you are worthless. That your love is worthless. That your power is worthless. That sort of play I do not understand, but if that's your boat, that is you. It is not for me.

 

Third story musings ~ Thank you for your eyes

ShirooKuma

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She came up to me slowly. Easing her way across the ground, sniffing all the while. Such a strange creature she was. Plump and juicy in all the right ways, but completely oblivious to the world she was now in. Something strange scent had caught her nose, and she was approaching it with reckless curiosity. I stayed hidden, not in any way willing to bring myself out of hiding. There was safety in the trees and bushes. Safety in the embrace of darkness while I watched the world go by. Normally, the creatures that came would stop briefly, but carry on in due time. This one though, she had been returning here day after day. Sometimes she would get closer to me, sometimes she would be farther away, but she always lingered a bit longer every time. It wasn't long before I heard her speak.

"Who are you?" She cooed, looking here and there.
"What are you doing?" I replied
"You do not belong here, little one"
"I go where I please, and right now, there is a pleasant smell here"

She breathed in, nose still twitching, ears spinning to and fro.

"What are you?"
"I am a cute little Bunny Rabbit, just like you."
"I am a Rabbit?"
"Of course you are, what else could you be?"

 

She turned to face where I hid in the shadows. Our conversation had helped her pinpoint my location. It did not feel right, the words she was saying. Who was I to say, for I have never looked at myself before. She sat down in front of my shadow, peering deeply into the bushes, nose twitching and smile wide. It was a pleasant feeling, to have someone to talk to. Here was someone who saw me, I had so many questions.

 

"Do I have long ears like you?"
"Of course you do"
"Do I have a fluffy tail like yours?"
"Of course you do"
"Does my nose twitch and sniff at everything like yours?"
"Of course it does"
"Do I have large teeth like yours for eating?"
"Of course you do"
"I am a rabbit?"
"Of course you are"

 

A rabbit then, a bunny. That must be what I am. Here was a rabbit sitting before me. I could learn everything that rabbits do, and maybe that would let me join the creatures who run around the forest. Every other creature had run from me, perhaps they did not know what a bunny was. Perhaps I wasn't behaving like the other rabbits, and that's why they ran from me. If I could learn how to be a rabbit, then the world would accept me.

 

"What do rabbits do?"
"We eat, and play, and fuck"
"What do you eat?"
"The grass, the leaves, the things that grow"
"I don't eat those"
"Of course you do, you are a rabbit"
"What do you play?"
"We play hide and run and dance all day"
"I don't play that way"
"Of course you do, you are a rabbit"
"How do you fuck?"
"Whenever and however we want, with whoever we want"
"I don't like that idea"
"Of course you do, you are a rabbit"

 

I must be a very bad rabbit. None of these things seemed to be very pleasant ideas. I eat meat, gnaw bones, not the grass and leaves of the world. I live off the life of others, taking what they have as life and adding it to my own. I do not sustain myself on the green that has no means to defend itself. The hunt, the chase, the rush. The act of having my prey fully submit to my power, to accept that they are there to sustain me and make me stronger. The plants and leaves cannot do that. They stand there, waiting for any creature to come and collect them. There is no fight, there is no passion, there is no thrill. This didn't seem like me. But I am a rabbit, I must learn to want these things.

 

I must be a very bad rabbit. None of these things seemed to be very pleasant ideas. I play by chasing, by fighting, by pitting my will and endurance against another. I hone my body through rigor and training. I hone my mind through learning and testing. I prowl through the bushes and learn the secrets of the world. I do not dance in the light for the joy, but revel in the mystery of the night. I sing into the night, not dance through the day. There is no joy in this play without challenge, in the flight through life on the thrill of the moment. This didn't seem like me. But I am a rabbit, I must learn to want these things.

 

I must be a very bad rabbit. None of these things seemed to be very pleasant ideas. Untested in love, but love is what I desire. The idea of a mate, my own and mine forever. To go through life and raise a pack with one soul by my side. This bondage of destinies, of a unity against the world, to make someone stronger in ways they never knew. To be someone's strength, just one, for all of time. There is no joy of rampant fucking to be had with the world. To enjoy life through many mating and raw couplings. To ensure the beauty of love through the conquest of numbers. This didn't seem like me. But I am a rabbit, I must learn to want these things.

 

"I do not like this food you bring"
"Eat it, you're a rabbit, it's what we do"
"I do not like these games you play"
"Do it, you're a rabbit, it's what we do"
"I do not want this love you give"
"Take it, you're a rabbit, it's what we do"

"I do not want to make love with you"
"Try it, you'll love it, it's what we do"
"I do not want to have sex with you"
"Try it, you'll love it, it's what we do"
"I do not want to fuck with you"
"Try it, you'll love it, it's what we do"

 

"No"
"Yes"
"No"
"Yes"

"I told you, you loved it"

 

".....No"

*********************************************************************

One of the hardest things to come to terms with in this society is how much we try to be what people say we are. Especially at a young age, when we don't have the time to discover who we truly are, we look to those with experience to show us the path. We ask the wrong questions because we don't even know what the right ones are. We can't really blame the world for giving us the "wrong" answers, when their answers are correct according to their beliefs. The world says what you are so much, it's hard to accept that you might be something else. I admit, I don't have it nearly as bad as some people in the world, because I have been able to turn my life inward and find out more about who and what I am. I am not a bunny, I am a wolf. I was taught to be a rabbit, to accept the ways of the world of conformity because I didn't take time to look at myself. I no longer blame this particular bunny of my past for what happened, for I understand better that, she saw me the way she saw her world, and her world was that of a rabbit. She had been taught that all men must want sex, and that as long as she wanted it, that was the only consent that was required. She was taught how to please a man, and how to make sure he "finished" as a way to determine that he really did give consent. She felt she was more experienced in the ways of the world, and tried to force that experience onto those around her.

If there is one thing this community has taught me, and lives in almost every form of interaction, is the idea of consent. There are many things/practices/acts that this community performs that many others would find demeaning, immoral, and "not rabbit-like". But the main difference is, this community establishes consent and understands it as a fluid dynamic. That which is "ok" is not "always ok". That which is "wrong" is not "always wrong". That is not determined by fact of the act, but by the interaction between the parties involved. Consent should not be coerced. Someone should not feel guilty for thinking differently. Above all, in the process of self discovery, I believe this community takes the necessary risks, and acknowledges those risks with each other. Thank you for teaching this rabbit that, he's not a rabbit, he is a wolf, and that is ok. The people who enter your world should not have power over you so quickly, for even with all their vast experiences, they have never set foot into your world or lived in it longer than you. You should have authority of that, and once that other party member has learned what your world is, then you have the right to let power go *if* that is what you want.

The very first question "Who are you?", if you are struggling to answer that, then people will see they can take advantage of you, and write you the way they want you to be. Maybe that is what some people want, but I find it dangerous and not what I desire.

 

Second story musings ~ Thank you for your eyes
ShirooKuma

****************************************************************

Rat and Ox were a funny pair to behold.

 

Rat came from the big city. Full of life and full of food left behind by the wealth of abundance from the humans. The finest cheese, the tasty nuts, sipping on wine from the finest cellars. His family were in need of nothing, and that which they wanted they had. Luxury and elegance was the world in which he thrived. Life is good for Rat, for life is nothing but plenty. But Rat knew better things were out there, a life full of nuance and adventure. Clever Rat knew better because the books left lying open told him of such adventure. Of great kingdoms and fantastic lands. Of pretty women for clever lads. Surely, this was the life for Rat. A life on which he could enjoy, grow old, and be loved.

 

Rat and Ox were a funny pair, truth be told

 

Ox grew up tilling the land. Working hard to provide by tilling the ground, Ox would be sure that nobody would go without warmth, love, and food in her family. A humble setting, but one stoked by the whip of her owner. Driving her to work more and more to provide for the most basic of creature comforts. Life is hard for Ox, and her many siblings with her. But Ox knew better things were out there, a life full of love and acceptance. Dedicated Ox knew better because the world she knew could no be so cruel as to not have real love. Of caring families and a tender hand. Of handsome men for capable gals. Surely, this was the life for Ox. A life on which she could enjoy, grow old, and be loved.

 

Rat and Ox were a funny pair, brave and bold

When clever Rat met stubborn Ox, he knew he could have it all.
This is one who would take him places,
To give him the adventure he was foretold.
When dedicated Ox met tiny Rat, she knew she could have it all.
Someone to climb up high and see so far,
With vision that she would never behold.
The world was so much larger now,
For both worldly Mouse and pretty Cow.
Together they would face the world
And reap their fortune in love and gold.

 

Rat and Ox were a funny pair, growing old

Though Rat was good at looking ahead
when he was nimble and full of life.
It was not long before his age
began to turn his fortune to strife
And Ox, when young, was strong enough
to love a family enough for the two
With age her weariness and aching bones
The pain and fatigue began to accrue
Ox no longer could trust Rat to see
The future path they set to climb
And clever Rat, did not trust Ox
To keep him being left behind

 

Rat and Ox are a lost pair, all they do is fight and scold

 

"GO towards that mountain!" said Rat "Why are you so slow?"
"There is love there, with nuts a plenty, and grass for you to eat!"
"Where is the mountain!" Said Cow "Why are you so dumb?"
"How many times must I tell you, you must command my feet!"

"I do not know why you cannot walk, we have been doing this for years!"
"I do not know why you cannot talk, it's like you don't have ears!"

"It's there, right there, why can't you see!"
"A place of food a plenty for you and me!"
"Oh just how stupid can you be!"

"It's where, where's there, why don't you know?"
"An Ox can only go to where you show!"
"Oh just how dumb can one Rat grow?"

 

Rat and Ox are a sad pair, their love has gone cold

 

Overhead flies Raven,
The sage and all seeing
Curious as to why
All this rage is still seething
He sees the pair
With no love to share
On top of the mountain they are chasing

***********************************************************

I have watched this Rat and Ox do nothing but fight and squabble for many years now. A titan and an oddity of a relationship, for nobody said it would last. The happiness, harmony, and power they wielded together has been shattered by the very thing they build their relationship off of. They both had something to give to each other, and what they gave was good. Their goal has always been that mountain top, the place that was in the books of Rat and in the dreams of Ox...never realizing what is around them. They have accomplished those goals they set, but it did not bring them the happiness they thought. They blame each other for why they are not happy, though they are exactly where they set out to go. They do not know what it means to be happy, and have bought into the lie that "to be happy, one must climb and defeat a mountain", as we are often told in this day and age. "If you aren't #1, then you aren't a winner". Standing on top of their own mountain, they can only see the mountains of others. Be proud of your mountains, be happy with your journey. Don't look to the mountains of others as a journey you must take, but look to the mountain you stand on and how, just by standing on top of it, you make the mountain taller.

 

First story musings ~ Thank you for your eyes

ShirooKuma

"When people told themselves their past with stories, explained their present with stories, foretold the future with stories...the best place by the fire was kept for...the storyteller" ~ Jim Henson's "The Storyteller"

 

The power of the story, whatever it's medium, portrays more about the mind of the reader than that of the writer. The world as I see it, and the world as you see it, they are already different worlds. From differing perspectives and intrepid imagination, the world can become something that is as fantastical as it is real. What is the world if not for our perception through our mind. Where we look, how we act, what we learn, they all come from the choices we make. We choose which details of a story are most vital to us; that which resonates. We choose which consequences to endure with our actions; that which delegates. We choose the future that we build from the world in our mind we envision; that which extrapolates.

 

What you choose to learn from my stories, I hope they guide you on your own journey towards a better future and new learning. What I choose to share here with my stories, I hope they help me gain perspective and understanding of this world I perceive. You are here, and thus you have the choice to read. I am here, thus I choose to write.

 

This is my story.