i’m on a Carousel. the World around me is swirling
... passing in a dizzy sigh of emotion. i hear music—it’s the same old song. faces blur—but somehow, every now and again i make out a warm smile. voices calling--the sounds flood my mind with brief shouts of

...hello!
...fun, isn’t it?
...faster! faster! (as though you alone are able to control how fast you turn)
...oh, you’re slowing down
...almost over now!
...and it’s done.

the Carousel comes to a stop. i’m left standing in disarray. looking around, i try to reacquaint myself with the World around me: above, the sun smiles. ahead, the people watch me stumble through a hot metal gate. below, even the Ground is turning. twisting. playing with my feet and testing my balance.

i sit on the first Bench i can find. trying to shut out the swirling World, i close my eyes and let the Breeze gently brush against my face. while i realize that time will come that I am to ride the Carousel again, i also realize that i can’t. not Now, at least (because Now, you see, is not that time). i feel someone join me on the Bench. a hand on my shoulder draws me closer. warm breath touches my ear among words, the meaning of which is not yet clear:
you’ll find it. I know you will.
and the words lingered—they linger still.
...
my eyes and soul seemed to open simultaneously—eyes bewildered by light, soul bewildered by such counsel. i gaze at the Bench beside me, only to find it vacant. lifting my eyes in search of the owner of the words whispered...amidst the river of people, i spot the Whisperer being carried away.
...
i managed to catch a glimpse of the Whisperer—it was You.

...and it’s done.

or is it?