Notes from the "Cave".......

Plato wrote and spoke of illusions in his “Allegory of the Cave.” In this myth he describes a group of prisoners that are chained and shackled facing a wall. Behind them there is a large fire burning with people walking back and forth between the fire and the prisoners. The men can only see the shadows of movement on the wall for such an extended time that they begin to believe that the shadows are in fact reality. Plato summarizes that man associates reality to that which he sees day in and day out and not what his mind tells him to be true.


He may have outlived his welcome in his cave. There is a sharp burr stuck between reflection and contemplation. Too much of this will grind you down and reveal nerves that no longer care. It is these mid-winter moments, propped up only by the exuberance of solstice, that cause the slip and consequential face-plant in the snow laid trail of our pathetic attempt at advance. The laughter of the woodland at his stumble is quiet and weighty.

What would you want if you could? A long chase down the centerline South to a place mid point is the Key to thaw this cave, with a folding camp chair dug deep in the sand, a passing freighter, a Styrofoam cooler sufficiently occupied, the loft and steady hover of a Frisbee from a friend, a good book unread, a juke box stuck in time, the call to “rack em up” from his brothers, just leaving your cash on the bar till it runs out, faded cut-offs, shirt, and sandals, and a dotted dress for fun are required for this cave escape.



Please feel free to e-mail a comment to chasingthecenterline@gmail.com