Some of my landscapes. Why? Because… landscapes!
Month: May 2016
Apocalypse Whenever
I’ve always been fascinated with post apocalyptic worlds. The visceral intensity and camaraderie of survivors always seemed a better alternative to my family and school life as a kid. Of course narratives can be written in any counter-factual way one wants. First you have to be one of the few survivors, followed by needing the correct survivals skills, a lack of serious medical issues, and the good luck to fall in with the right group of survivors.
But why ruin a good fantasy? In my fantasy I am the hero or at the very least I can step out of the mundane existence most of us have. At least this is how I conceived of fantasy apocalypse worlds when I was young. Now I think perhaps we already live in a slow motion apocalypse. You know, global warming this, toxic that, bad other stuff, blah blah, why even bother explaining it at most people only rhetorically care. Our children will just have to fucking deal with the problems we are creating on their own, right?
I suppose we could just wait for Jesus to return and burn everything, or is that bathe everything in blood? It’s hard to keep track of crazy sometimes. Probably better to just drown our fears in social media. A little Facebook here, some duck face selfies there, followed by some inappropriate Snapchat. There’s also Twitter, though why bother, it’s just people following celebrities (and a kind of post apocalyptic world of its own.)
Oh, I’ve buried the lead here, the apocalypse starts tomorrow! … I wish 😉
Unexpected Butterfly
Apparition
A very low tide. Shallow waves among the rocks. The apparition as if captured in a long exposure sees me. It is hunting for something alive so it looks beyond. The humans, unaware of its desire, chatter as they walk past. We have something in common, this apparition and I. If I wait long enough the tide will cover me and I will wash away like the sand, and then I will know its secrets.
I’ve Been Lying to You
I’ve been lying to you. Still waiting for things to begin. When will they? It’s definitely me walking alone. I am always someone else. The loud voices of people watching the game. The music starts. My favorite band onstage. Hit your mark. The Ted talk is about to begin. Prepare to be impressed. You can make anything. From a single source the shining light reveals nothing, and I lie again. The lie is that I don’t love you.
Right
I’m told we need a dragnet of truth to save us. Just grab the usual suspects and scapegoats. We have to protect our freedom to lounge about in piles of stuff. Yes mighty edifice of manliness penetrating all evil, protect us with your righteousness. Bring truth to justice.
Safe in Father’s Hands
Not many years ago he would have been my type. His pandering charm. His projected virility. The sinister diamonds in his eye so easily mistaken for fatherly protection. The patriarch of pageants. He just loves women, and women love him. All are safe in father’s hands.
I Don’t Want to Sleep With You Beta Male
I’m going to sell you something here.
You are too nice. You avoid conflicts. You want to be perfect. You keep score of the wrongs other people do. What do you resent? Your mother for raising such a perfect boy? Do you want me to hold your hand? Maybe you will just avoid me, ignore me, roll your eyes when you are behind my back. Perhaps you will just fail on purpose.
You say you are sensitive. You can really empathize with others. You want their approval so you hide your mistakes. When you look at women you feel shame yet women are the only friends you have. You know how to fix things. To make it all right. Maybe some day you will be rewarded for your goodness? No beta male, even feminists hate you!
[Fill in pick up artist book here… 10 Rules to Be an Alpha and Pick Up Chicks or something… oh, I don’t know… you losers will buy anything from me.]
Seduced
Blonde charming psychopath, of course I fell for him. Not that I am blameless, with my propensity to shake the apple tree. Strong arms, big hands, our heat now frosted windows.
My simple trap: Careless hellos and exploits. Ride the river of conversation. Act as if love exists (yes, it does!)
Elephant
Every few months, perhaps from lack of sleep, dreams will wake me. Last night I dreamt I walked at dusk to the outskirts of a city where an elephant approached me and recited this poem:
Many years have we walked in the dust to find water.
Many years with only tears for the dead.
Humans, sit with me and look up at the stars.
We fight among the bones of our ancestors when the Universe awaits.