In, and out…
In, and out…
In…
© The Lightning Tower, 2020
Aphorisms (and a question)
Is the world full of
Evil or stupidity,
Or are they the same?
–
The real danger is
Aggressive stupidity.
It lacks decency.
–
Are people really
So completely unaware
That they share the world?
© The Lightning Tower, 2020
She
She went over the seas,
The seas, the seas.
She went over the mountains,
The mountains, the mountains.
She went over the forest,
The forest, the forest.
Until she went no further.
She looked for the truth,
The truth, the truth.
She looked for the just,
The just, the just.
She looked for the love,
The love, the love.
Until she looked no further.
She cried for the lost,
The lost, the lost.
She cried for the broken,
The broken, the broken.
She cried for the hopeless,
The hopeless, the hopeless.
Until she cried no further.
She sang for the living,
The living, the living.
She sang for the dead,
The dead, the dead.
She sang for the world,
The world, the world.
And then she sang for me.
© The Lightning Tower, 2020
Bad Recipe
“Ten more minutes should do it,” June said, resetting the timer and flopping down next to Marcie on the couch.
“Why is it that everything always takes longer than the instructions say?” Marcie asked, sighing.
“No idea. Guess that’s just our luck, huh?” June said, scratching her neck. “Maybe we have different appliances? Or because we substituted a few ingredients?”
“I guess. I can smell it now.”
“Yeah, that means it’s close.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes, both lost in their thoughts.
June sighed again. “I guess I should have realized it would take a long time to dissolve a body, no matter what the internet said.”
“As long as it works, right? Doesn’t have to be correct or fast. Just,” Marcie shrugged, “done.”
“I saw a different recipe that also looked good,” June said. “You know, if we have to do this again.”
© The Lightning Tower, 2020
New Direction
He was not having a good day. He leg was killing him, he was overdue on rent, and the bartender had just cut him off. He stared at the bar, his head weighing heavily in his hands. How had he come to this? After a decade in the military, they cut him off, just because he was deaf in his left ear, just because it had taken five months of physical therapy to walk again, just because he was a little twitchy in the Humvees. Oh, they talked about how it was honorable, about how he had served his country, but it was still rejection. He’d joined up when he was 18; what was he supposed to do now?
He noticed someone sidle up to the bar next to him, but ignored them. He was too lost in his own misery. He did look up when that person leaned in closer, then slapped him on the back.
“Hey, Kendrick, right? It’s been what, four years?”
He jumped, lurching half-way off his stool.
“Whoa there,” the voice said, grabbing his arm and pulling him back upright with ease. “Been here long, have you?”
continue readingThe Gospel of D
In the blessed year of 2016, the Savior came. It was clear that he was the Savior because he was chosen in the year 2016.
2+0+1+6 equals 9, and 9 is 3×3, and 3 is the Holy Trinity.
With such an obvious sign, the world shifted back to the way it had been, and the way it was supposed to be.
The Savior proclaimed that there would be a free, beautiful wall, and so it was. Kind of. It’s still being worked on, and wasn’t quite free.
And after the faithful rallied for their right to exist, after they stood their ground and proclaimed that they would not be replaced, the Savior proclaimed that there were good people on both sides. Even though only one side brandished guns, and only one side committed manslaughter.
The Savior reached out to others for aid in his mission. If they had information about his rivals, well, he probably should listen to it, right? And if he expected some help in return for his benevolence, well, that was his prerogative, right?
There are so many examples of the Savior’s great works, but that means there are too many to list here. He’s great, that’s all you need to know.
The angry losers tried to usurp the Savior, but he held fast to his position. Sure, he might have done some things that weren’t great, but they weren’t against the rules, and he had learned better. Plus, it was so boring to watch them talk in circles, not saying anything new.
And then, the Savior’s true enemy revealed itself. An invisible foe from across the world crept its way into the country, infecting losers and faithful alike. The Savior promised it would go away with the warmer weather. The Savior proclaimed that the people were on their own, and that he had the absolute power to fix it.
He urged his followers to try the magical cure with the magical name – what did they have to lose? And he put forth the idea that injecting light and bleach into their bodies would save them from the invisible enemy.
Wait, what? That can’t be right. Savior, wait, where are you going?!
What do you mean, sarcasm?
© The Lightning Tower, 2020
Life’s Moments
She gasped for air, sweat trickling down her face. Her muscles burned, and she didn’t know how much longer she could go on.
“That’s it, two more!”
Casey groaned. “Omar. I. Am. Going. To. Kill. You,” she panted, arms screaming as she lifted the barbell one last time.
“C’mon,” he said, grinning. “You don’t mean that.” He made sure she got the barbell safely racked, then checked something off on his clipboard.
“I really do,” she said, dropping her arms. “Once I can lift my arms again, you are toast.”
continue readingHomecoming
“Are you sure this party is a good idea?” Minna asked, arms stretched to their limit, dutifully holding up the “Welcome Back!” banner so Joy could inspect the placement.
“Of course it’s a good idea,” Joy said. “A little higher on the left, I think. The other left. Perfect!” She rushed over, taping the corners of the banner in place. “You know Bo, he’s always up for a party.”
“Yeah,” Minna said, rubbing her arms to get the circulation going again. “But he’s coming back from deployment, Joy, not a vacation or something.”
Joy’s exuberance faltered for a moment, before she smiled broadly. “I think I know my own twin. He’s gonna love this.”
continue readingWise Words
Continuation of Choice Words and Missing Words.
As much as she loved having people in the library, and to foster a love of books in her community, sometimes Ms. Millward appreciated the library being closed on Mondays. It gave her a chance to catch up on paperwork, clean, maybe read a little. It was peaceful, walking the aisles without having to dodge children or shush loud guests. And the morning light in the antiques room was really something; the stained glass threw bright spots of light across the room, dancing in a way that seemed slightly otherworldly.
Unfortunately, she still had ink to clean off the ceiling. That cursed bibliodemon had really done a number on the moulding. Ms. Millward stared up at the ink spots, and rolled up her sleeves. No time like the present. The paperwork could wait, and she really wanted to have a clean slate this week. No demons, no serial killers. Maybe a few squabbles at book club, that could be okay.
continue readingEarly Morning
Mind racing, heart beats,
Jerked from one place to the next.
Sleep long forgotten.
–
Eyelids carrying
The weight of the world slowly
Shut, unbearable.
–
Grasping gossamer
Wisps of a far away dream,
I am in-between.
© The Lightning Tower, 2020