Joy

I give to you a poem in eleventy-one words...

More money,

More horsepower,

More square feet,

More education,

More love,

More…

Are we never enough?

Those thorny little epithets flung behind our backs,

Those eye rolling glances cast between those we deem powerful.

They has an effect.

(Only if you let them)

They makes us doubt.

(If you wish)

 [What we half create,

And what perceive.]

Isn’t getting better the point?

To progress!

Which begets progress,

Which begets progress,

Ad infinitum.

Quod Erat Demonstrandum.

{Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s}

Do you want to know a secret?

Do you promise now to tell?

Progress may bring happiness,

But intent remains the font of joy.

{Give to God what is God’s}

Forced Awakenings

I give to you a true story in eleventy-one words...

I approached the cashier; he spoke to a woman about Star Wars.

I’m a fan. The first movie I saw in theaters was Return of the Jedi. I sent away five proofs of purchase to obtain the Emperor action figure. Twice. I’ve watched the movies – even Phantom Menace – myriad times.

When Disney hired Abrams, I felt giddy. Not only is he an incredible director, but he’s good at keeping the story quiet, just like I like it.

I was to see The Force Awakens that night. I put my items down. Then the cashier revealed that…

For those who’ve seen it, you know what I mean.

He flinched when I snarled.

Guns

I give to you a story in eleventy-one words...

He walked into the den where his wife was writing. ‘They’re dead.’

‘Huh?’

‘My mother. She said. They died.’

‘Who?’

‘My brother.’

‘Oh my God.’

‘His son too…’

‘Your Godson?’

‘Not anymore.’ He stared out the window.

She hugged him.

He sighed, then chuckled, then began laughing uncontrollably; tears streamed down his face.

‘What is wrong with you?’

‘Maybe now they’ll change the gun laws.’

‘What do you mean?’

He turned on the television. ‘… gunman was the father of a child killed in the Newtown massacre.’ A pause. ‘For those of you just joining, at least twenty are dead with many more wounded at the NRA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.’