Three angles are present in the reviews so far of this GIANT piece of writing. That makes me want to join in with a fourth, tilting towards John’s “what’s in there”. . . . then tilting away from that one towards Jane’s, and finally about facing Ron’s take on your “Out There”. All of them are good. Your selected image of ‘barrier’ is acutely illustrative of this piece of language art. I like the struggle of ‘inside’ vs. ‘outside,’ I like the personification of that ‘power’ beyond our ‘selves,’ that there is intent in that ‘power,’ and that you have painted us humans enduring the dichotomy of the Source’s intent to let us struggle, aid our despair. Ending with the mirror view takes me to John’s point, that the ‘in there’ becomes the ‘out there.’ Your imaginative choice of descriptions puts the GIANT in this piece: “…drags us across an endless stretch of rusty rapiers?” . . . “as our motion slows to a skeptical crawl”. I think the answer to the last stanza appears to be ‘no.’ Because the very question is the answer and your “Out There” is the answer. You have written what could fill three hours of conversation. I love this offering, Odin. ~~ djl

Interesting. The only thing that matters is "what's in there" that can be brought out. The rest is window-dressing.

Yes, Odin! We do know what's out there! Anyone with any sense in his/her head knows what's out there! Oh, my! "The emporer is wearing no clothes!" !!!! But who will say it? Great work!

Love ya!

Jane

Some thoughts to ponder. But I'm not sure I really need to know, "What's out there." I'm content with having lived through half of the 20th century and heading for half of the 21st century and watching all that is going on in this wondrous world around us. Time moves forward regardless of everyone wanting to drag us back.

Let us hope that we come to our senses before we completely ruin our nest and could no longer live here anymore. I certainly hope those dragging their feet take a look at what they are doing before they pass off this mortal coil.

Ron