We stood, a grey and lifeless crowd. We expected nothing, were given nothing, did nothing. The silence was our melody as we withered lovingly into Nothing.

And then an unfamiliar man broke the spell. He spoke of art and philosophy, of living a life less full of flaws and regrets; of honor, of hate, and of heuristics.

Others began to shush him. One asked him to quiet down, lest he be plucked from the crowd like ripened fruit. The wise man's response rung true within me: