Dear Leland,

I really enjoyed the rhythm & rhyme of this piece and the message, as always, is well conveyed.

Love & Light always and in all ways,
Joseph*

Yes, it is good to see you back, Leland. As usual, a very perceptive piece. I think there may be another road. Two branches of fantasy. One that seeks pure pleasure in the human condition, for example, Star Trek and Star Wars. The key phrase here is, wars. Without wars, human life is pretty dull, so writers who write this type of fantasy like to put in wars so their characters have a deeper meaning, especially if they survive and are "heroes."

On the other hand, there's a path that tries to seek an alternate future for an alternate plane, like Alice in Wonderland. Neither of these take the dark side. The human brain is an amazing bundle of neurons, constantly active in spite of purely rational thought. It is here where ideas come from that make we humans the storytellers we are.

Ron

{{{{{{{{Leland}}}}}}}}}! So wonderful that you're back, and with such a stimulating poem! Yes, fantasy; a natural state of mind, indeed, and one which we sometimes turn into an unnatural state of living - the "dark" side you describe, and which I also define as the "dazzling to blindness" one. Fantasy is as important as... yes, as spice added to food; reality can be too bland, or taste bad, and adding the right spice (or spices) to it, as well as the right amount, is quite an art, one which we will be forever learning to master. This learning takes much sampling, and, of course, a lot of mistakes and corrections, and there's no way it can be acquired in a rush, if we don't want life to turn into a most unsatisfying, permanent intake of "fast food", LOL! So, back to the spice analogy, fantasy is, in my humble opinion, the perfect ingredient (or blend of ingredients) to turn life into an array of gourmet dishes, when added to (blended into) reality with conscientiousness - and with the delicacy of touch that never tries to completely disguise (mask) the actual flavour of the "food", the one which makes it distinctive. It does become disruptive and detrimental when added in excess... or, worse still, when used as a replacement of the actual food (like a plateful of pepper and salt, LOL!). Well, my friend... you've done it to me once more - as always, you have made me think and have inspired me! Thank you, and here goes one more {{{{{{{{hug}}}}}}}} with a touch of cinnamon - a spice I like a lot ;0) - and lots of love!
Alexandra*

A most thought provoking piece, Leland, and nice to see you posting again.

Leland it's so good to read you again! A fine poem of the duality that is inherent in all things. What a boring life this would be without fantasy!

ET

A most interesting philosophical perspective about fantasy, Leland. This gives me pause for thought and reflection. Thank you. Best wishes to you for the new year with love and peace,

Regis

A very fine offering my friend!!

Thanks for sharing!!

Happy New Year to you and Yours!!

Been camping lately...how is youz :) ??

Love Tinky

It's all about perspective, and you've woven a wonderful pen here.

Peace,
Dan

Wise wonderful "Fantasy — A Natural State of Mind" shines. A true poetic feast.

I salute You, Poet.

In admiration,

Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU

A very fine creation - poetry interwoven with your view of life. It is always an emotional experience to read a Leland Waldrip poem.
CJ

Wonderful piece! It paints an interesting picture in the mind of the reader. Very creative. Thanks for sharing.

I prefer the light side of Fantasy. Fantasy or reality, umm well I like a mix of both fantasy with a dash of reality every now and again. Sometimes people escape into worlds of fantasy, for example: drinking, drug addiction, gambling, sexual addiction, but for some of us, poetic minds, our fantasy escape becomes another realm of reality colliding with fantasy..Wow, your poem made me think, thank you!!!
Peace, love, and light-filled fantasy!
Amber "V"