Do you have a secret? The kind of secret hidden from everyone. The kind of secret capable of unraveling your world. How deeply is it buried? How much time does it consume in your thoughts? What fortress have you constructed to prevent escape? Yes, we all have that one secret. The secret that at some point or another we acquired throughout our time on this planet. But we all have another secret. A Secret that is deeply buried and that you have tried to discover. You do not know what it is but merely that it is there.
What then may this secret be? Arthur Ficke writes that the Secret concerns some profound enigma. It has to do with the nature of the heart of man and the conditions of his essential happiness. Ficke’s poem stumbles upon a profound human desire – to understand. For the human longing to understand not only the world around us, but also ourselves. There is a time in our life for many of us when we question the very nature of what it means to be human. However, our inquiry does not cease there. Instead, we are then plagued with questions like: What do we want out of our life? Will we ever be happy? What is this all for?
Ficke also captures something even more subtle. There are those that can ignore their Secret. This is done by busying tasks and immersing oneself in the routines of human life. The tasks and routines seek to busy the mind and deafen the ear to unsolved questions. In contrast, there are a select few of which nothing in the outside world can attract [their] attention for an instant unless it is in some way revelatory and symbolic of [their] Secret. Thus, unlike their counterparts who can advance boldly into the world of action, those burdened by their perilous companion dare not speak. Ficke’s dichotomy raises two interesting questions: (1) why are some able to ignore their Secret while others cannot?; and (2) is there a responsibility of those who do not ignore their secret to aid those who do in finding the answer?
My theory regarding those able to turn a deaf ear to their Secret is due to the nature of such Secret. Ficke aptly writes that the Secret is so perilous a companion; For until our Secret has spoken we dare not speak. When it does speak, our minds would be instantly blown into fragment never recoverable. If posed with the choice never to speak (in the metaphorical sense) or to turn a deaf ear, which would you choose? Ficke captures the natural fear we have to safeguard our beliefs instead of having them dismantled. All of the knowledge we have acquired thus far or our entrenched way of life could dissipate in an instant upon discovering our Secret. This fear is real and is reflected in modern day society. One may observe the evolution of norms dating back to times of slavery in the south. Slave owners cited that the civil war wasn’t only about the right to keep slaves but to maintain their way of life. Here, Ficke has captured something essentially human. We hold on to our way of life in lieu of questioning and truth.
But for those without the same attachment to their way of life, is there a burden to share revelations? Socrates stated that it was his duty to act as a gadfly to the sleeping polis of Athens. Ficke not overtly recognizing duty, writes, if I knew it (the Secret), I would tell it to you with joy, in the hope that it would be your Secret, also. Thus, he seeks to relieve the burden of discovering through enlightenment. I think it would be pompous to assert that one has a duty to question others and force them to engage in self-reflection. However, akin to Ficke – to share what one has learned has the benefit of assisting others. This is by no way mandated or required. Rather, it gives those who wish not to turn inward the opportunity to adopt the Secret and move forward accordingly. Furthermore, it provides them the opportunity to implement it in such a way it does not dismantle their foundation instantaneously. But notice, those who do choose to reflect do not possess that option. Therefore, their is a certain cost of dedicating ones life to discovering the Secret.
I myself believe either I was “chosen” (by the Secret, my nature, or divine intervention) to live a life discovering the Secret. There is truth in that it is a lonely and perilous journey. Often times there are more questions than answers. And ultimately we must face it although it may be that [we] never discover it. But it those times I almost find a clue that keep me going. It is the possibility that in one of these places, sometime, somehow, [my] Secret will suddenly rise up before [me] with shining eyes. Something my friend has brought you to this blog. It may be your interest in one of the subjects that also bring you joy. But underlying all of philosophy, poetry, and literature there lay your Secret you find within the pages. Alongside Ficke, I beg you, my friend to build up no wall between yourself and other men or between yourself and your Secret. To do so would be easier, perhaps happier, but it would not be wise.
— Yours Truly,
Michael A. Westbrook
Link to the poem: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NN4cX_RA1rECTpoq3Ia8CNqDU8PKklE_/view?usp=sharing
Ivory Tower 