They Don't Know

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Sometimes it's us that don't know...
Usually we think we have it all figured out...

So often I find that the enormous lake
at the edge of my map
that I know so well,
is just a tiny bay
on the edge of a large river.

Upon exploring and charting this river,
I find it is a rather small river,
compared to the one it flows into.

While charting this larger river,
I find it flows into a vast sea.

Connected to an ocean.

As I sit at home by my tiny bay,
sipping coffee and contemplating
how to go about exploring and
charting that vast ocean,
one of my neighbors drops by. 
They are overjoyed because they
have just discovered our
"enormous lake". 

As the conversation progresses,
and the coffee pot cools,
I realize the part they are about
to explore is one with many
jagged rocks just below the
surface. A part I charted
particularly well, for I saw the
bones of other explorers and
many wrecked vessels there. 

Though I don't want to spoil their
excitement, I do worry their
journey could end on those
jagged rocks, for mine nearly
did.  I gently warn them that
area is dangerous, but they don't
want my chart.

Later, when the conversation has
run dry, as well as the coffee pot,
and they are walking home in the
dark, their voice carries farther
than they think in the cool air:

"I don't care what he says. He's
probably jealous because he has
never really been there before.
Why should I listen to him?
He doesn't know."

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