What is a Metaphor Imagine, briefly: A set of parallel bars. Where one goes, the other follows. Where one terminates, so too does the other. It takes an existential gymnast to balance with just two hands and one bar. It takes but a human to balance with bars in parallel. Perhaps a little strength is required, but that’s a life-requisite anyways. So, to address the titular motivation: What is a Metaphor? A metaphor Gives balance Where, with but one understanding, we might fall hard to the floor.