Fools Gold
In 1578 an English explorer named Martin Frobisher set sail to the New World. He was seeking the fabled Northwest Passage, a sea route above North America that was believed to link the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
Earlier in 1555 Frobisher had been licensed by Queen Elizabeth I as a lawful pirate, authorised by Her Majesty to plunder the ships and treasures of the crown's enemies. By the 1560s, young Marty had gained quite the reputation for his sanctioned exploits. He was arrested several times in foreign seas but in typical pirate fashion evaded rough justice.
It was during his first voyage north through what are now Canadian waters, Frobisher unearthed shimmering ore and believed he had struck gold. Upon his return he dazzled the Crown and Elizabeth supplied him fifteen ships to claim the region. The colony failed and instead transported tons of the treasure back to her coffers. Whereupon smelting, it was proven to be pyrite.
I woke this morn with Lhasa crooning to me about fool's gold from beyond the veil.
Fool's gold glistens and seduces us because we want so badly to believe it is real. It speaks to the true nature of our desires. Most dreadfully, to our willingness to be duped in our ardent pursuit of them. Under pressure, its true nature is revealed. It never passes any real test and will fail as many times as you let it.
As we try Aquaria and her new ways and means on for size, beware the lure of pirates and their fool's gold. Let your intuition map your passage into unchartered territory. Trust only your good instincts. Remember what wise old men croak about all that glitters. That actions speak louder than the prettiest promises, no matter how fervently you want to believe them.
Plot your own course, guided by whispers from within. Let the four winds fill your sails. The everchanging sea will carry you through Aquaria to undiscovered shores. Keep your explorer's eyes wide open to all she reveals.
Did you ever believe the lies that you told
Did you earn the fool's gold that you gave me
~ Lhasa de Sela, Fool's Gold
Ask first.
Words c. Kerrie Basha, 2019