I am in a small cabin. There might be a bed in it, but I’m not sure because I’m presented with an enormous red canvas bag. I do not know how it appeared, but I’m certain that my task is to sort through the stuff and place them into the smaller bags. There are no instructions. I take the smaller red bags, open them, and place them neatly on the floors , one next to the other, with enough distance between them  to create a separation. This is important because it somehow clarifies the classification of the contents in the large bag.

I begin to dig through the large bag. At first I do not recognize any of the objects. They are abstract shapes, unusual colors, and unconventional designs. As I dig deeper I find familiar objects: a camera, fountain pens, a notebook, a couple of different kinds of balls, an unwrinkled black tee shirt. I think: one of the categories is “useful things.” I stack these objects atop one of the small bags. I find a pile of photographs and correspondences from people from my present or past life: dispatches, postcards from other places I’ve never visited, birthday, anniversary and holiday cards. I think: these are not useful but they are memories. I put them on top of a second small bag.

Digging deeper I find some old notebooks and books that are dogeared and filled with underlines and annotations. I place them on the second pile. I’m still puzzled by the strange objects which make no sense. There are no words to describe the shapes and textures, and the designs defy any possible description.

I notice that the cabin is completely empty except for the bags and their content, and looking out the sliding doors I notice that I’m on a ship that is traveling on a fairly calm sea.

The large bag is empty and the pile of abstract objects makes a colorful and curious display. I think that there is a similarity to these things and since I do not recognize them. Looking at the other two piles I categorize one as important useful objects and the other as memories. Feeling good that I have come to some sort of resolution to this challenge I have an insight: these odd colorful objects seem not to have a discernible meaning, but have a semblance to thoughts, ideas and emotions that on an unconscious level I have been a part of my experience at one time or another.

And just maybe, the things I sort through and collect in the three bags may be the stuff of reality.