Parabola (par-ab’-o-la): The explicit drawing of a parallel between two essentially dissimilar things, especially with a moral or didactic purpose. A parable.
Prepositions mark contrasts that bring meanings to our lives. They are representative of the myriad oppositions that stand together, complete, yet incomplete, without each other. Where is up without down? Where is in without out? Where is over, without under? And even Moe important, without contraries and contradictories where would we be?
They cause pain, embarrassment, and insight and more. If it’s hot, it’s not cold. If it’s right, it’s not wrong. What else could it be? Sort of not wrong? But how do you assure it’s right? I don’t know. Just because everybody thinks it’s right, doesn’t make it right. Right? Wrong? Maybe? Oh, sweet sweet maybe.
That’s where I live: Maybe City. It is in the United States of Uncertainty, in the state of Possibility, the town of What?. We never do anything with any resolve. It is all tentative with reservations slowing all decision making. It took me 2 hours to decide what I wanted for breakfast. For example, I had deep concerns about the cereal—whether it was too crunchy and may damage my teeth. The eggs were too flexible—I might bite my tongue while chewing. I ended up having a glass of water. Then, getting dressed, I tried on 9 pairs of black socks with different degrees elasticity. I ended up going without socks. I couldn’t decide whether to wear boxers or jockey shorts so I wore my wife’s undies. What the hell! Comfy! This went on until I was clothed. 2 hours! But, in the end I’m inevitably satisfied with my decision making. I’m wearing clothes! Better than yesterday. I wore a poncho made out of a tablecloth. It had a floral pattern.
So, I get what I want. I’m pretty sure I do. Not certain. Well maybe. Very strong likelihood. No way of knowing. Call me stultified. No wait . . . .
Definitions courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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