Beyond the Realm of Wishes

In sun-scorched dunes, beside a weathered sentinel, a glint ensnared his weary gaze. A tarnished lamp / grazed / its secrets unknown / a genie unbound, a muted haze. Three worldly desires danced like tempting fruit, ambition's flame, …a reckless spree. Yet visions sprouted, with roots of rue, for each sweet, endless dream, …a bitter truth. Perhaps, a gilded crown, a monarch's sway, demands the command on a tyrant's hand. The weight of power, crushing clay, lone haunted nights, he just couldn't bear or stand. Yes, true love's tender clasp, forever held, turned into frost on a rose's stem. Its fragrance quelled, love's embers dimmed, slowly became contemn. Maybe, gold's gleaming touch, Midas' treasure, bought spaciousness, a hollow cave. His grip would taint, his heart would scream, wealth’s warmth replaced by an icy grave. Each coveting song, a trap, a snare, a fleeting wail, a siren's flight. The genie scoffed, with a knowing glare, and said, "Speak then, your folly to invite!" Possibly, Hunger’s serpent coiled within, fate's fickle hand, a plague’s wrath. "May tables be bountiful, may health decree, and banish scourge long shadows.” Yet can such profuse, freely shed, ignite not greed, nor vengeful ire? Will hearts be filled, or souls be bled, where horn-of-plenty, stokes a raging fire?" With eyes unclouded, heart unswayed, he sought a passion, both strong and bold. "For Peace,” He cried, “its branches bade, to heal the wounds, stories untold.” “But Peace," he sighed, "a fragile seed, on battlefields where shadows weep Will men lay down their arms in gloom, or in its wake, forever creep?" Days turned into darkness, stars took their flight. The young man pondered, unbathed day and night. The weight of his cravings, heavy as stone. In the silence of his thoughts, he was not alone. The Genie watched, a frown on his spectral face. His patience sorely waned, his presence filled the cave. "Choose, young man! Your wishes await. The sands of time flow, So, Do…Not… Tempt… Fate." But in the rush, beneath the sun, an unveiled mystery began to soar. The world unravels, its tale begun, beyond a wish, beyond a chore. He saw the dance of light and shade, the emotions of joy and pain. And in that vision, his spirit prayed, a different wish began to reign. With a gentle voice, and knowing glance, he spoke, a truth beyond desire… "I seek not crown, nor love's soft trance, nor fortune's blaze, nor fleeting fire. But wisdom's well, its depths unseen, to pierce the veil, the soul's true light. The path within, my story an untold tale, a life well lived, purposeful insight." Yes, at last, clarity dawned, bright as the noonday sun. One wish he had… …send... the Genie away… and thy will be done. "Exist no more," he said, his voice so clear. And with that, the Genie evaporated…disappeared. The lamp grew cold, a faded gleam, The genie's form, a wisp of breath. For wisdom's path, a truth untold, The greatest wish, a choice extolled. No genie's power, bought or sold, can mend the heart, its path to take. No wish fulfilled, no mighty mite, could hold a candle to a true inner light. He turned… Leaving sun-scorched sand… A map of choices held within in his hand.