Chameleon on the Glass

Once upon a time in a mystic world, there lived an exotic breed of chameleons, whose gleaming eyes shined like pearls. These chameleons could change the color of their skin to match anything they saw.

They could capture every color of the rainbow simply by taking thought. Unfortunately, they spent so much time mimicking other things that they forgot their own true color.

Thus, wherever they went, these chameleons tried to blend in. Consequently, they began to confuse appearance with essence and self with setting. In fact, they became so good at copying rocks they began to believe they were rocks.

Yet one of the chameleons named Eleon said, “I am not stone.” Several chameleons agreed, but others argued and asked, “If not stone, then what are we?” In the distance Eleon saw tall grass swaying in the breeze and thought out loud. “Perhaps we’re like the grass.”

Hence, there arose a division amongst them. Some believed their true color was brown like the rocks, while the others believed it was green like the grass. And thus, they parted company.

Yet Eleon still sensed something wrong. “I am not grass,” he exclaimed. The other chameleons were shocked and confronted Eleon. “Why must you question everything? Can’t you leave well enough alone?” But Eleon was resolved and said, “I’ll find the truth as I am able.” Thus, he set out on his own.

Eleon searched far and wide to find new colors--exotic colors like turquoise, gold, and vermillion. But every time he changed color to blend in, it didn’t feel right. Indeed, he realized that blending in hid his unique form. “Perhaps I should clash,” he reasoned in himself.

So everywhere Eleon went, he became different from his surroundings. If among blue flowers, he turned yellow. If among green leaves he became purple. When the other chameleons saw Eleon's stark contrasting colors they mocked him. This made Eleon sad. Yet he realized that the difference between them was but superficial. Nevertheless, he was determined to find his true color. “This isn’t working,” he thought. “I’m still allowing my surroundings to effect me. I really need to see myself as I am.”


Conclusion

Mirrors

A mirror is a tool of estrangement
Reflecting an outer facade
As seen through the eyes of our peers
The mystery hardly solves

These voices resound
We’re told who we are
What to do, and how we should think
Surroundings coerce us to yield and conform
To illusions of identity

The world is full of reflections
These are not reality’s source
The search for the self is an inward soul quest
For the contrary breeds but confusion and lies
Within the morass to contort and comply

Such souls become lost and bewildered
Alas, like a trembling chameleon
Confused on a glass