Tag: America

The One: First Entry

February 5, 2019

Can we be honest with ourselves for a moment? I want to talk about some things. Things like Facebook. Twitter. Instagram, perhaps. Hell, even Tinder…anything that lets people advertise who they are (or at least who they want to be) without having to concern themselves with the real world.

Yeah, I know.

It’s not easy to examine one’s self. We’d all much rather be judging someone else. But right now, let’s do the hard thing and focus the lens introspectively.

Sure, it’s easy to look on at the spinning wheel that is social media, watching as the people we know and grew up with move on with their lives. Comparison is the theif of joy, ain’t it? That’s what they say, at least.

It’s funny though because everyone’s aware, whether consciously or subconsciously, that social media is just a highlight reel. If only we knew who we all are after each one of those many layers of social graces and obligatory formalities got peeled back. The real, you know? Because as much as we market how cool our lives are, at the end of the day…it’s validation that we really want.

Most of us, that is. And you know what? That’s perfectly normal. Not at all a thing to be ashamed of.

After all, most of us just want someone who knows us. Who understands us. Who IS us. We want to enjoy life with a person who gets, more so than anyone, who we truly are. And I’m not talking about the person at three o’clock, bringing in coffee with the same fake grin we all wear knowing we’re just waiting for the hour hand to get knocked ahead a couple notches. I’m talking about the person we are when the day’s facade is over, the candles go out, and the door closes. That person you see when the ambient light from the TV flicks on as it highlights the it-was-a-long-day-fucked-up-hair and feetie pajamas silhouette. That’s the person we’re searching for.

And you want to know something? I bet you’ve already met them.

I know I have.

The Old Unknown Aristocrat

October 23, 2018

Some people get it, most people don’t

Some people will, most people won’t

Some people love, most people hate

Most people: good. Some people: great.

 

Maybe I’m the one who’s been mistaken after all

Maybe all this fighting’s a good reason for a wall

The more I see the more I hear the less I seem to understand

It’s almost like this world is pieced together and events are planned

 

Confusion is the currency they’ve built all of their kingdoms on

White homes do not host their crowns they’re places that they place a pawn

Puppets playing House is what we’re looking and we’re pointing at

And all the while he’s up there, the Old Unknown Aristocrat

 

We don’t even see all of the strings and pieces he commands

But he’s the one who wrote all of the things for which your flag now stands

His name: unknown. His work: unknown. He dodges notoriety

The master of this game knows this is how you mold society

 

Five steps ahead, he always knows which side he has to pick

Its easy when you know the things that make the people tick

This Old Unknown Aristocrat said of Earth, and all its flaws

If I control its money, I care not who makes its laws

An Address to the World Concerning the Ford/Kavanaugh Debate

September 30, 2018
Alright.
 
I’m going to attempt something that may never have been attempted since the dawn of humanity: I am going to try and bridge this ridiculous divide and help people see this Ford/Kavanaugh thing from both sides. While I’m pretty sure this ain’t gonna change anything and everyone is still gonna throw rocks at each other, at least I can sleep knowing I tried.
 
Get comfy, because this is gonna take a minute. But this is a very important issue, and imo one that we SHOULD spend the time considering.
 
———————————-
 
So, to:
 
TEAM KAVAUNAUGHTY
 
First, try to understand the sheer magnitude of frustration and emboldened passion for their world views that most liberals and leftists are experiencing at the moment. Not only do they have no upper hand in Congress, but they recently lost one of the most emotionally charged Presidential elections in American History. Never has the general populace been exposed to the political process as intimately as we have been since the internet and mass communication entered the equation. So try and cut them some slack for being just a wee bit exasperated; any normal human being would be. It’s natural for people to speak up more aggressively/assertively when they are in a weakened position such as the current balance of power; the psychological instinct is to feel a need to defend their beliefs, which is perfectly understandable. Now I’m not saying you should put up with the hatred and vitriol a lot of liberal supporters/media outlets have been spewing, but on an individual level, try and at least get along and be considerate of the struggle when you butt heads. And let’s be fair, when Obama was in office I sure didn’t see a lot of love coming from the right, even when he did things that deserved positive recognition. If the tables were turned, I imagine many of you would be acting in a similar fashion (which is precisely what we saw from 2008-2016).
 
Now, as far as our current case of America’s divisive flavor of the week: the Ford allegations. Yes, the law and socially-accepted standards of judging whether someone is guilty or not is on your side. We all get that, and to my knowledge there aren’t any liberals/dems refuting that. What they ARE trying to make you understand, however, is that the simple fact that we are undergoing this process to begin with; primarily because it’s regarding a candidate for one of the most powerful positions in human history. A Supreme Court Justice has the ability to affect, and to a certain degree literally dictate, how we as citizens conduct our lives. Paying EXTREME attention to their character, reliability, and general trustworthiness is absolutely paramount when deciding if an individual is worthy of the power to tell us how we’re allowed to live. So yes, the fact that this hiccup has occurred is, in and of itself, profoundly alarming.
 
This is the main point of Ford’s side that you need to consider when discussing and debating this matter. Because at the end of the day, pretty much everyone falls into one of two categories: you either see past this, or you don’t. EITHER OF WHICH is a completely, rationally justifiable conclusion. It is not at all unfair for someone to say that they would prefer we find a candidate whose history is void of this kind of concern, false or not. Sure, as far as we can all legally say, it didn’t happen. But those who are shaken by the simple possibility that this MIGHT have happened is enough to keep someone up at night. After all, its not like they’re advocating we throw the guy behind bars. They’re just concerned. A reason, which you should know especially if you’ve ever hired someone before, that can be enough to move on to the next resume for some. It’s just a personal preference; nothing more.
 
Anyway, there are a lot of other moving parts to this side and their motives, but that’s my general take when I try to stand in your opponent’s shoes, Naughty peeps. Please be mindful of these things when you’re telling liberals they’re the devil for trying to deceive their way into power. Not everyone is as evil as we tend to make them out to be, hard as that might be to believe.
 
Moving on to
 
TEAM FORD
 
This won’t take as long because as I mentioned, it doesn’t take a lot of explaining when the law and society’s behavioral status quo is on your opponent’s side. Their argument is pretty easy to understand. Like it or not, the inarguable truth is that barring some kind of DNA trace, picture/non-existent-at-the-time cellphone video, or other form of empirical evidence somehow magically transporting itself through time into the hands of investigators…this ain’t gonna be provable. Even Ford herself gets that, evident through the fact that her attorneys announced that they don’t intend to refute Kav’s testimony. At the end of this week’s FBI probe, the chips will fall where they may, and life will go on.
 
Its pretty much that simple for Team K. They are the type of folks who view due process as the governing dictator as to how we should formulate opinions and conclusions. Again, perfectly reasonable; especially considering that the entire legal system our forefathers created for us is based upon this exact sentiment. You are innocent until proven guilty, period. Making judgments based on anything less is impermissible and an egregious violation to a dignified, fair society. The line is blurred in this instance, however, because it’s not technically a “legal” matter; it’s an interview. So the question we have to ask is can we take a concern of unsubstantiated allegations into account since this is a slightly more discretionary situation than a formal legal matter? As with all of this, your answer will reflect your own personal beliefs; there’s no black and white correct answer here.
 
So for you Ford folks, that’s basically what you should consider when you’re accusing Kav supporters of “mansplaining”, bigotry, etc. They are simply a different type of person than you; not the kind who let’s the existence of (you must admit) un-provable doubt bother them when weighing the merits of a candidate. A conflicting, but equally as understandable and fair as your own, world view. This does not in any way make them “insensitive”, condescending to women, or otherwise sinister. I want to be clear on that, because I have seen a ton of these kinds of comments arising out of this case. #METOO is an inexplicably important and beneficial movement, but let’s not get lost in the momentum and unjustly overextend its influence.
 
———————————-
 
And that’s it, everyone. My point is that we all need to realize that human beings are a very dynamic, diverse, and different (alliteration ftw) group of individuals. The day when we all agree on everything will never arrive, much as we’d like it to. Debates such as the one we’re having right now will always hinder our ability to unite as not only a country, but a species in general. The only choice we have, if we are to ever achieve this unity thing we always hear about (which, confusingly, no one seems to ever do anything about), is to place ourselves in the minds of others and sincerely try to understand them and the forces driving their views. You’ll find that most people have honest intentions.
 
Oh, and speaking of sincerity. This essay was all a waste of time unless you have asked yourself this very important question: do I SINCERELY, genuinely care about any of this? Dam I truly even concerned about the grand scheme of things and people getting along? Because if we’re speaking plainly, it’s a biologically wired instinct among the Animal Kingdom to be content with our own lives and relationships, without much thought as to what’s going on outside of them. Doesn’t make you a bad person. I say this because it seems a lot of people instead just use these little pop-up conflicts as a convenient means to satisfy the need to share their own opinions, ignoring any concerns to the contrary (the satisfaction of winning Facebook tiffs must be very real, indeed). So if you’ve never looked in a mirror and asked these things, I strongly suggest you do a little soul-searching and self-discovery. Find out who you really are and what you care about; because I think we all know that the biggest lies we tend to tell are the ones we tell ourselves.
 
One last point. There is another group of people that none of this applies to (and tbh, the cynic in me is concerned this might actually be the majority, if social media is any indicator). These are the ones whose decisions and stances on these things are driven solely by their partisan politics and personal predispositions. No matter how much evidence, logic, or reason they are presented with; they ain’t gonna budge, because they are basically God and always right about everything, ever. These are the guys who will sooner go the grave before admitting they might be wrong about something or attempt to be more open minded. You all know who I’m talking about – those friends and acquaintances who you’ve literally never heard say “I’m sorry” in their lives. Yeah…don’t be one of them.
 
So to summarize every one of the almost 1,800 words you just read – for Christ’s, Allah’s, Buddha’s, Brahman’s, Vishnu’s, any other Gods I’m leaving outs, and the Universe’s sake: PLEASE try to get along. Like, really make the effort. Next time you feel the anger sharks swimming in your head, take a deep breath. Be the bigger person if someone’s being an ass and kill them with kindness. That’s how you win anyway, isn’t it? Don’t let the jerks think they said anything significant enough to affect you. Set the example they should aspire to.
 
There. If you made it this far, thank you for listening. If you feel inclined to share this message please do, because this is something which desperately needed to be said and we all know our media/politicians aren’t going to be advocating for the masses coming together anytime soon. If we could begin to think more along the lines mentioned here and start coming together, the power and influence we would hold as a united unit is immeasurable to the point of the world quite literally being transformed. After all, isn’t that the “change” we all like to talk about and wish for? We’ve waited long enough you guys.
 
This is how it happens.

The Fear of Death

August 7, 2018

Some time ago, I sat upon a balcony, just staring on

My mind, my thoughts, my very soul, sat wondering where it all goes

I pondered whether, when we die, the scrolls are true, or just a lie

And as I sat there, lost in thought, a child came, a book he’d brought

Sitting down right next to me, he looked me in the eye, said “see?”

“Can’t you tell that he’s up there, and wants to free you from despair?”

Softly smirking, to he I said “my child, so many things I’ve read”

“Allah, Buddha, Krishna too; the testaments, both old and new”

Sadly sighing, this boy looked down and shedding tears, began to frown

“But mister,” this boy said to me, “our souls live for eternity”

“And if you doubt this, so I’m told, you’re cast aside ‘till time grows old”

I paused a moment, listening, and thought back to my christening

“Listen, son, for Matthew says, seek the kingdom; righteousness”

“The truth is all I want to know; to gaze upon a clear window”

“Do not let past transgressions rule, do not let dogma play the fool”

And then, with one last final breath, I said to him: “Do not fear death.”

The Why Behind

August 1, 2018

Why do people do all of the things that people do?

I fear that there’s a very simple way to get the truth

Just think about it. This isn’t a joke; I mean it

A person’s actions show you that very person’s characteristics

So let’s put that into context, shall we?

As a human I desire love, happiness is all I need

And how about that friend you have who really gets along?

That person honestly just wants their friendships to be strong

Let’s broaden the lens, now tell me what you see

This world is run by people who want power and money

It’s simple when you think about it, cause if that wasn’t what they want

They wouldn’t run for office to feel superior and vaunt

You see, people who want power are the ones who want control

They’ll do anything to get it, even if they have to sell their soul

This is the reason that most are held down and oppressed

The people who desire power think they’re better than the rest

Well guess what, Planet Earth? I’ve got some news for you

Ironically the inverse is what’s valid and what’s true

The very basic fact is that the ones who want to rule

Are self-obsessed and want to be above the me and you

So please, folks, understand the human mind

Use your intuition, and find the “why” behind

For once you realize who they are, the ones we look up to

Are nothing more than selfish frauds, the change will start anew

My Hands

July 28, 2018

Never idle, on the move, ink pours on the page

The force that drives, a needed guide, is with me on this stage

I try to be an optimist, but sometimes I’m consumed by rage

Thinking of how things are done and how they could so quickly change

Yes all the world’s a stage you know, it’s something that you shan’t forget

The sun and stars would get along if only they’d shake hands and met

Humanity could follow suit, we’ve got the tech but somehow, yet

We manage to exacerbate the very things we should forget

Fossil fuels and everything, you know that it’s all temporary

But tell me more of how it works, and how mining isn’t mercenary

If you truly want to change the world into a gilded sanctuary

Then play the long game not the short, and hire you an actuary

Maybe they can run the numbers, project a truth that you won’t like

Their findings likely point to truth like human beings should take a hike

Sure, we all know that we need to build that interstate or that turnpike

Yet as we do this trees are cut, it’s like the land of the Third Reich

Yes it’s so, the world’s a stage, it’s just a game of checkers, chess

We put our pieces on the board, where we think they’ll help us best

And when we find a new chance to establish ourselves, let me guess

You want to build a military presence just to clean the mess

Sure my man, come on down, bring your gadgets and your tech

Cause I don’t really care what happens as long as I get that big check

You see this is why the world is wasted, all it’s countries are a wreck

We let the people be in charge that only care for their own neck

Maybe one day you’ll wake up, realize that this dream of yours

Doesn’t have to happen this way and you won’t be on all fours

Rising up and taking charge, you’ll fight and finely take these lands

Until then I’ll try my best, just writing with my moving hands

Ripples

July 20, 2018

Ripples, I see down below

The waves are moving, soft and slow

Like zephyrs, gently drifting through

The water’s stillness calms and soothes

I cast a rock into its deeps

Watch it sink as this willow weeps

I see the first bright evening star

Across the lake, the trees afar

The coast adorns a bright green coat

It’s shadow cloaks a lonely boat

My friend, on four, barks on a whim

As children there, begin to swim

A sigh escapes, the calmest breath

There’s so much life to live ‘fore death

And as I stand, to pack my things

I thank this world, for all it brings

My Life

July 19, 2018

The sand, the dirt, the grass, the trees

The sticks, the stones, the light, the breeze

The things this world has made for me

Have warmed my heart and set me free

I look at the stars as I rest on my knee

They twinkle and spark, this light that I see

I gaze at them wondering, what could they be?

As I listen to waves hit the rocks under me

So calm it all is, out here with the leaves

No fear of the world, or it’s warriors and thieves

My mind is at rest, this feeling I’ve sought

A needed reprieve from the torment I’ve thought

The darkness within isn’t something I share

I keep it behind the false mask that I wear

It’s not that I’ve feigned, and not that I’ve lied

I just don’t want to release all the pain that’s inside

I want to be happy

I just want to live

Her death, it has gripped me

And it’s hold will not give

My words carry weight

Of this, I know

But now I see nothing

Through her bedroom’s window

It used to be filled

With her smile, her love

As she watched us all playing

With a ball and a glove

Those days are all gone now

And it hurts me so much

Please take this away, God

Please heal me, your touch

I don’t care if they read this

It’s my only escape

These pages have saved me

From a much harsher fate

I beg you, my Father

If you truly are there

To take this away

And heal my despair

These words that I’m writing

They’re the realest I’ve penned

I beg of you, God

Will I see her again?

Doubt

January 9, 2018

Some folks believe me

Yet others still doubt

It’s funny to me, really

When I say what I’m about

I’m climbing this here ladder

Right in front of their blind eye

Yet they still keep on hatin’

As if the fucks I give could fly

So let me put this plainly

These words, do not mince

We’re righting world wrongs

We’re not trying to convince

We’re not trying anything

“Try” means we could fail

Sorry, that ain’t an option

This ships already set sail

So be on board, or don’t

That choice ain’t up to me

I’ll just keep on writing

Making minds more bold and free

And when this ladders finally scaled

When at last we’ve reached the top

I hope you brought your sailor shoes

Cause this ship ain’t ever gonna stop

What If They Died

December 15, 2017

What if they died?

What if that artist

Who painted their works

So great, yet shunned

For personality quirks

What if that singer

Who hit impossible notes

Wasn’t caught up in drama

Or the brunt of your jokes

What if you focused

On content they write

Instead of the bullshit

The cheap and contrite

Why is it, so often

An artist, who yearned

Must die to achieve

The recognition they’ve earned

It isn’t the painter

Whose genius, they leave

It’s ego that chains us

A jealous reprieve

For when you are dead

You’re no threat to us

So sure, we can like you

Just stay off of my bus

Some day, I do hope

The people will see

That passion is living

And envy is greed

My Dog is Famous

October 20, 2017

Oooookay!

Where do I even begin? I suppose a little background context is a good place to start.

So my dog, Mr Baxter, has a nasty habit of chewing his leashes. He’s pretty much the perfect pup outside of that one annoying, economically burdening trait. Most of my brainstorming for writing is done with a beer, on a dog friendly restaurant patio somewhere – so naturally he has ample opportunity to inconspicuously gnaw his way to freedom while I’m immersed in my journals and outlines. So every time he successfully liberates himself, I’m forced to buy a new leash. I’d get a metal one, but toting one of those around gets annoying and clinky.

Anyway, so the other day I left my office to grab lunch and run into PetSmart to return his latest leash. Obviously I couldn’t take him in because he wouldn’t have a leash on the way in. So I left him in the car. By the way, it was 64 degrees outside and I was only going to be gone for like two minutes. In and out.

Well as I return to my car, I’m confronted by a lovely social justice warrior taking photos of my beloved Mr Baxter in my car. So I’m like “um, what are you doing?” 

The girl then proceeds to berate me and tell me how abusive I am to my dog, and that I was lucky she didn’t bust my windows out and next time she would. So I tried my best to explain how my dog is literally like a son to me (he’s all I have), and that he probably gets better treatment than most humans. She wanted nothing to do with that. Instead, she informed me of how illegal it was for me to leave him. A comment to which I responded “well if what I just did is illegal, then that’s a stupid law.” And I may have told her she was the problem with America, but whatever. 

Anyway, I go back to work and mention my recent encounter on Facebook to get a laugh. Then, in my post thread, someone tagged a photo of my hometowns FB page where she had posted a pic of my car, license plate, and peacefully slumbering dog – telling the whole world I was a monster basically. 

Naturally, as these things always do, there was a huge outcry of differing opinions. Most were pretty reasonable thank god, stating that he looked fine. So I then commented her public post myself and explained what had happened. 

That’s when the business went down.

Suddenly an enormous surge of awesome, logical folks came to my defense. It was amazing, and I’m still speechless at how good it felt to have so many kind hearted people to have my back. 

The post has since been deleted. But now, at the behest of some of these community members, we are going to host a #vivamrbaxter event where people can bring their dogs, have fun, and get educated on the legal standpoint of this type of thing. Like when you can and cannot be a hero.

Point is, now the community has turned what could have been an overly dramatic fight into something that will raise money for animals, and everyone wins.

That, if I may say so myself, is how the world should work. 

I freaking love my city.

The Tiki Torches: 3

October 13, 2017

“Alright, everyone. This evening we have an excellent opportunity to show these people just what we mean. We’ve tolerated centuries of oppression, decades of condescension, and countless years of bigotry! I say unto you all, stand up for your rights! Stand up for your freedoms! Stand up for the God Given, inherent capabilities of existing as a human being!”

Hurrah!!

Standing tall in front of a melting pot of human beings, the mayor of the city of Perth gives an emboldened speech at the municipalitie’s town hall meeting. As a champion of all races and creeds, he has garnered the support of pretty much the entire town. Except, of course, a small minority of closed minded bigots who refuse to adapt to change.

“We will stand strong with our brothers and sisters, no matter the cost!” The mayor shouts from his podium inside the town halll. “This is but a small town, but we are a united town!” He adds, a finger shaking in the air to reiterate his point.

“We will not allow a small contingent of oppressors to light up the evening! We will stamp out the flames of injustice!” Hurrah! “We shall stop them in their tracks!” Hurrah! “We shall meet them on the battlefield of intellectual opposition, and let none leave without exposure to our light!” HURRAH!!!!

As the mayor lets the crowd’s energy die down, he holds out his arms.

“My friends.” He says. “Let us begin preparations. It’s been reported that there has been a spike in Tiki Torch sales at the Wal-Smart across town. Let’s show them that these torches shall not have been bought in vain! We shall show them the error of their ways.”

Hurrahhhh!!!!!!

Slowly walking off his town hall stage, the mayor finally takes a moment to catch his breath.

“Great speech, sir!” One of his constituents says.

“Yeah. It was. But it was just that. A speech.” The mayor snaps back, obviously caught up in thinking about something else.

“But sir, you moved the entire town! That surely must count for something.” The constitutant says.

“Yes. They’re motivated. And for that I am grateful. But there is so much else left to do.” The mayor says.

“Come, we must prepare for the Torches.” He adds with a sly wink, clearly indicating that he has something in store for the folks riding his way.

The Other Side

October 7, 2017

Oh my freakin’ God, guys

Here we go again

Just throw the leather ball, dude

My team – it needs a win

You really aren’t oppressed, guys

And my moneys on the line 

So if you don’t deliver, then

I’m trading you next time

Leave politics to them, bro

‘Cause no one really cares

Just score and make my team win

Leave out the thoughts upstairs
—————————————————
Now hang on one damn second, man

You haven’t heard my side

I’ve put up with all this bullshit

For my whole entire life

I’m sick of all the judgment 

When I walk into the store

And how so many hate us

Except for when we score

I’m more than that, my brother

I’m a human, after all 

And treating me as you are 

It drives us up the wall

So please, my man, just stop it

We want all to get along

You’ll win your league, I promise

When you know that we belong

Become

September 25, 2017

Frustrating, it is

To retreat to the hole

As you narrowly focus

On your one, divine goal

A life you desire

Yet you know you can’t grasp

As attentions diverted 

The white fence, it won’t last

And how hard can it be

When to God, you enlist 

When you tormentingly believe 

That He might not exist

My mission is clear

It’s the path, I await

This life, I’ve committed

No regard to my fate

For greatness, inside

It lies in us all

If only you find it

Your one, dying call

The Writers Marquee

September 20, 2017

The gloves are off! 

It’s heating up

And when you think

They’ve said enough

They bounce right back 

To add a punch

A right, a left

This scribbling bunch

Some shout, some SCREAM!

Yet others wait

Through subtle pokes 

Their points, they bait

Until they land 

That final blow

When socks blow off

And minds explode

Come one, come all!

Beyond marquee

Where writers fight

And chicks drink free

For Better or Worse (Ch 8)

September 19, 2017

IMPORTANT: HUMAN BEINGS ARE VOLATILE, DANGEROUS, AND EMOTIONALLY UNPREDICTABLE 

***Handle with utmost caution. Do not allow these creatures outside of the included habitat***

Setting her instruction booklet aside, the little girl takes one final look at her “teenie-weenies”, before clearing the tank to make room for her next batch of creatures.

“Sorry little guys!! I know you’ve been having the time of your lives in there, but I’ve got some new teenie-weenies on the way!! Daddy says they are even more exciting than you guys! Much smarter and more fun to play with. I’m sooooooo sorry!!!!!!”

Grasping the enclosure with her trunk, the little girl dumps the entire habitat of human beings into the drain inside her bathroom, flushing them down into the abyss below. 

“Have fun down there!!” She shouts, smiling as the very last human swirls around in a vortex of death. 

“All clean Daddy!” The girl shouts, waiting for her father to bring in her new pets. “These humans were fun.”

For Better or Worse (Ch 4)

August 20, 2017

“All better!”

Pulling her arm from out of the tank, the little girl slides the lid back on her glass habitat after setting down the little newborn she’d taken out the night before.

“Those nutrients will make you a super pet!” She shouts, watching the parents finally reconnect with their baby.

“Anyway,” the girl says, sounding bored, “What are the rest of you guys up to?”

Stepping over a few feet to observe the little colony of creatures, she scratches her head.

“Why do you all keep doing that?!” The girl cries. “Stop splitting up!”

Since she first got them, the creatures have shown a tendency to huddle together in small groups. Some are lighter colored, and some are darker, and they seem to prefer grouping with those they resemble. 

“You guys are sooooo weird,” the girl says to them. “You know you’re all the same little things, right?” 

Looking back to a bookshelf against the wall, the girl grabs the instruction booklet that came with her pets’ terrarium. Opening it up, she turns to the pages that cover their interactions with one another.

“The creatures will have a tendency to keep close proximity with ones that look most like them.” She reads. “Do not worry if they display this behavior, as it is expected of them.” 

Taking a moment to look at the tank again, the little girl shuts the booklet.

“Huh! Well I guess it’s normal after all, weirdos! But just so you guys know, I think that’s pretty dumb. You’re all made of the same stuff.” She says, sliding the booklet back in its spot on the shelf. “Anyway, its sleepy time! Good night little ones.” 

Flicking off the light, the girl throws the wide veil over the dome and crawls into bed.

For Better or Worse (Ch 3)

August 17, 2017

“Aw, yay!”

The day after disposing the dead creature, the little girl is pleasantly surprised to see that two of her pets have had a baby. Standing over the dome with a wide grin on her face, she looks down at the two tiny creatures nurturing their teenie, fragile newborn.

“Good job, you two! I hope the others take after the example you’ve set.” The girl coos, giggling as she watches the little family huddled together in the corner of the glass enclosure. 

“Oh! But wait!” She says, remembering the chapter in her booklet that teaches how to properly take care of the creatures. 

Sliding the lid open, the girl reaches down and grabs the newborn pet, pulling it up out of the dome. As she does so, the parents become visibly distraught, running to the edge of the glass as they watch the little girl carry the baby across the room. 

“It’s okay!” She shouts back at them with a smile, seeing their distress. “I’m just making sure she’ll grow up nice and strong!” She adds, placing the small newborn in a separate, much smaller container. 

Obviously not comprehending the reassurances of the girl, the baby creature’s parents remain at the edge of the glass for the remainder of the day, helplessly peering across the room at their new offspring, wishing they could be together. 

For Better or Worse (Ch 2)

August 15, 2017

“Rise and shine, everyone!”

Quickly pulling away the large veil covering the girl’s terrarium, she excitedly greets the occupants inside.  

 “I bet you guys are hungry, aren’t you?” She asks matter-of-factly. Walking to the small closet in the corner of her room, she grabs a packet of food and a pale of water.

“And it looks like your lake is almost all dried up! You guys must be thirsty!” The girl exclaims, ripping open the food packet as she pulls back the small square door at the top the glass dome. 

Holding the packet over the center of the little community of creatures, the girl shakes it until all the tiny morsels of food have fallen out. Watching her pets scramble toward the newly dropped food, she smiles as she pours water into the side of the dome where a pond-like crevice has been dug.

“Drink up, teenie weenies!” She cheerfully says, closing the lid.

As she places the water pale back in the closet, she notices that one of the tiny creatures is laying underneath a group of mini tree-like plants, not moving. 

“Oh no!” She cries. “Not again!”

Placing her hands on the glass to lean over the dome, she looks down at the recently deceased pet.

“I told you all to stop fighting!” She tersely shouts. “Why can’t you just get along?”

Returning to the closet, the girl reaches in and grabs a long, skinny pole with a tong on the end. Re-opening the glass lid, she nabs the dead creature and chucks it outside her open window onto the lawn below. 

“If I find out which one of you keeps doing this, you’re gonna be in big trouble!” She asserts, holding the tong up. “Now ya’ll behave while I’m gone!” 

Closing the lid once more, she puts the tong back in the closet, exiting the room to spend the day outside. 

For Better or Worse (Ch 1)

August 15, 2017

“They’re so cute!”

Looking into a giant glass terrarium at her small colony of pets within, a little girl tugs on her father’s sleeve to get his attention.

“I know, dear. They’re very cute. Now get tucked in, it’s getting past your bedtime,” the father says.

“But Daddy!” The little girl begs, peering back at the many small creatures inside. “Can’t I watch them play just a little bit longer? Look! Aw, look Daddy! Those two are loving each other!”

“Come on now, little girl. You’ve stayed up late enough. Time for bed.” He says, lifting his daughter up as he hoists her into her sleeping space. 

“Okay, okay.” The girl sighs, watching her father place the wide veil over the terrarium to cover it. “See you guys tomorrow!” She shouts gleefully at her tiny creatures. 

Kissing her on the snout, the father tucks the little girl in and turns off the light.

“Good night, little munchkin. I love you.” He says, closing the door until it’s just slightly cracked.

“I love you too Daddy.” The girl replies. Waiting until her father is gone, she lifts her head and peers at the glass dome.

“I love you guys too,” she whispers, closing her eyes before slowly drifting asleep.