Oh say to me my deepest desire and I will surely deny such a necessity. For knowing what object tantalizes my soul lends others too much power at my expense. If such capacity falls into villainous hands, the sad consequence may deny me the echo of my soul and demand my forbearance. To signal which object in all the world commands my desire would leave me feeble in the eyes of an enemy. A life lived without desire is a life left gray and undefined, only half-lived and never fully enjoined.

Nor would I confess the objects of my affection. Whether the worry is of theft, deception, or loss, it is far safer to remain silent. All affection, it varies from desire. Where my desire wishes to lay claim, my affection only hopes for joy; the joy of those who are the focus of my heart. I would spare them the penalties of my association. I have lived long and my list of sins remains by my side, never stumbling or missing a step no matter the distances traveled. Although I may not see them, or hear their words, just knowing that they inhabit this world with me is satisfaction enough for a life.

The last thing I cannot abide to be without is the object of my repulsion. Does that seem odd to you? I must have the darkness to see the light. The sharp odor of the wrong exists to steer me always towards the good. To be reminded of the evil that I can become is necessary lest I fall in my ignorance and return to learning lessons already learned. I will not point out my repulsions for we must each find our own. But if we look first inside to those things in ourselves that we would rather hide we will surely find them. That hidden realm in our mind is the land of their formation as well as the land of their demise.

I have lived long and traveled far with these three. My chances of continuing very far without them become smaller every year. Their faces may change, the masks they wear often fall aside. Some will fade and fall away but others always take their place with time. Though I will maintain their anonymity to keep them alive.