Author: John Knetemann

  • Questions of Love

    Would I be so demanding of someone I loved?

    Would I crack the whip and demand “perfection” everyday?

    Would I use tricks to manipulate them to behave the way I wanted?

    Would I tell them they can be happy only when they achieve their goals?

    Would I scold them for their emotions and tell them to shove them away?

    Would I call their interests and curiosities silly and tell them to focus?

    Would I question their trustworthiness and values?

    Would I make rules upon rules and put them into a box with little space?

    Would I organize all of their actions into “good” or “bad”?

    Would I tell them they are a specific way and can not be anything else?

    Would I advise them to give in to their fears and not be courageous?

    Would I make them live boring day after boring day?

    Would I tell them that there is no hope for them?

    Would I ignore their wants and desires?

    Would I make them value themselves based on what others say?

    Would I constantly compare them to others?

    Would I want them to put on a fake smile?

    Would I ask them to put on a facade?

    Are any of these things what I would do to someone I love?

    Do I do these things to myself?

    Do I love myself?

    Do you love yourself?

    These are the questions of love.

    If you love yourself, set yourself free.

    Let the sunrise!

  • Questions In My Mind And Of My Mind?

    Is there mind?
    Is there matter?
    What is this world in which I walk?
    Is matter from mind or is mind from matter?
    The borders and frames breakdown.
    Are we projecting scenes?
    Are we dancing and suffering within them?
    What are the lines?
    Are there lines?
    Is this apart or is this the norm?
    Is there imagination?
    Is there reality?
    What is this world in which I walk?

  • Love for Gollem

    I kind of miss Gollem… That mangy and twisted creature

    His funny ways, split into two like a double feature

    His desperation for the ring, but his love for his master

    Without him, I couldn’t have gotten here any faster

    Thank you Sméagol for being my guide

    I wish you hadn’t felt the need to hide

    You were misunderstood and lived underground

    But then along came a hobbit and you were found

    I hope you know you deserve a thousand and one fishes

    For getting me to Mount Doom thus fulfilling my wishes

  • A Visit from Khaliz the Demon

    There was a sudden and loud knock at the door. Arthur answered it, and a hideous monster stood on the other side. It had four horns that curled twice around. A dim yellow glow came from its eyes, and sharp protruding teeth slipped out its foul smelling mouth. The monster towered over Arthur, and its limbs were long and jagged rods.

    “I am Khaliz, a demon of the deep,” Khaliz said. “I have come for Arthur the Demon Slayer.”

    “Oh good! You are here!” Arthur said with glee. “Fearful and terrible Khaliz, welcome! You have found the right place. Arthur the Demon Slayer is me! Would you like to come in?”

    “I have come to bring your doom,” Khaliz said, opened his mouth wide, and let out a terrible hiss.

    “Hush! Hush!” Arthur held up his finger to the demon. “Just come on in. For you are one of my favorite kinds of guests! Would you prefer coffee or tea?”

    “Oh… Ummm coffee… I will have coffee.”

    Khaliz the Demon entered Arthur the Demon Slayer’s house. Arthur brought him into the kitchen and sat him down.

    “So what is your message?” Arthur asked. “You demons always come with a message of some kind.”

    Khaliz’s smile spread hideously across his face. He reached into his mouth and pulled out a scroll.

    “Read it, mortal… If you dare.”

    Arthur unfurled the scroll and read it. His eyes widened and his heart raced.

    “You bring difficult words, Khaliz. You bring a horrifying message!” Arthur exclaimed.

    Khaliz laughed with devilish pleasure. Arthur continued examining the message. His eyes softened and he began to laugh.

    “Thank you for this, Khaliz! Thank you for this curse you have brought me!”

    “Did you just say thank you?” Khaliz asked in surprise. 

    “Your curse will become my boon! For I know more than you realize, oh fearful Khaliz! For I am Arthur the Demon Slayer! And now it is time for your doom!”

    Khaliz rose ready to take on Arthur’s attack. Arthur lunged at the demon and spread his arms around the terrible monster. Arthur was quick! Much quicker than Khaliz was expecting! Before the demon knew it, he was wrapped up into a strong hug.

    “You thought you would pull me away!” Arthur shouted as he embraced Khaliz. “You wanted to steer me in the wrong direction, but your messages are always a question. A question that I have learned how to answer.”

    Khaliz shrunk and his horns fell from his head. Wings spread from his back, and his eyes lost their yellow glow. Arthur took a step from Khaliz and gazed at a beautiful man standing in his kitchen. He had beautiful white wings and wonderful olive skin. His hair was black and curled more than his former horns. Tears were in his eyes.

    “Thank you, Arthur,” he said.

    “My thanks is all to you, Khaliz. For you have brought me another boon!” Arthur said. “Now… How about that coffee?”