perception of perdition

this was a dream
that which changed
my perception, my beliefs
with acute effect

as I lay down to sleep
the thoughts, questions abound
I closed my eyes, seeking answers
and I saw with clarity

I saw myself, big, grown up
clad in black from neck to toe
tall, strong and with eyes
that gazed right through your soul

as 'I' was standing
I saw a man behind 'me'
he came at 'me' with a knife
delivering a stab

his weapon merely met air
as the grown up 'me' vanished
into white smoke,
obscuring my vision

when the smoke lifted
I saw the man's body, a knife
right through his heart
laid to rest where he stood

his expression of agony and horror

and I saw...
myself... in black... walking away slowly
towards the path of righteousness
he looked back, and saw me
and told me never to give up

never to give in
to train hard
protect your loved ones
and that I am more than
what I believe myself to be


I woke with a start...
it all felt so real
had I met myself of the future
had he come to warn me?
had he come to answer
that which questions me


"if a man was armed and endangering the life of you, your family, and everything you ever held dear, and at a whim would kill you in cold blood, would you fight him in the name of all you've sworn to protect? if killing him was the only way of ensuring he will never threaten your family again, would you?"

and the answer revealed itself, that night.