It was the year 2097, I was sitting in my cell remembering the times when I saw history books with pictures of what the planet used to be like. I remember seeing Sidewalks lined with tree’s in little cut out cement hole’s. River’s that still had fish in them. Skies looked blue with puffy white clouds. Bird’s even flew back then.
On the corner of 7th avenue and the Miami River, I nearly trip over a planter hole in the sidewalk. Through the leaves of the palm that lives there I see the sunset amidst the masts of boats in the yard. The smell of seaweed and paint fumes enter my nose as I run over the little bridge.
I absorbed a story from the simulator this date of 52- 10- 3045. It described a planet with evaporating oceans. A life form poisoned by lust for gold and some sort of god consciousness, albeit thwarted by lust. In the final days, it was recorded that none were able to care anymore. The heat and misery too intense for altruism.
I run up the stairs to my house with my laundry in my hands. A cool late November breeze, golden blue, pink and purple sky. Blue Herons on the dock. I know I should be grateful but, I want more, I want more than Instagram or text messages can give. The hunger grows each time I look at my phone.
The evening gets closer. Perhaps it is here. I unfold my mind onto the table. Seeing traces of my path, my sanity and my hunger. Running like red string tying it all together.
The story of the man and woman who saw into the future unfolds. Painful and simple. A great grey cloud dominates the mood. Transmutable light from their own planet still shines, although greatly dimmed by emotional resistance.
The man and woman found the great plant of sacrifice. They ate the leaves to show their willingness to commit political suicide. They did it to admit that they don’t really care how anything looks or seems. Thinking was still a crime, but gestures are thought of differently. The corporeal making illusion more difficult yet more desirable. After finishing eating the entire plant they look up to find themselves surrounded.
They pack their bags and depart for their journey. It’s 11:00 a.m, but that hardly matters anymore. They meet a young man along the way. He asks to join them. It’s now 3:00 p.m and they have not gotten very far. Shortly after, a woman begins to silently walk with them. Around 7:00 p.m, the others notice she is with them for the long haul. Still, no one has spoken. They have become a gang. Their power grows as they spend time together. When they sleep their dreams begin to become intertwined.
Two weeks ahead they find themselves in a strange town. They begin to see that their journey is to find a meaning that they do not know about. It is in a sense a meaningless journey to find meaning. But the fact that they are on the journey gives it meaning.
In this small town, they find Collective of outcasts, punks, musicians and artists. They make friends and soon are building their own cabin out of scraps within the occupied premises. The couple opens up their relationship to include the other couple, and then a year later, children are born.
In late summer, the emergency sirens announced that the fires are spreading into the city. People are advised to begin walking toward the coast. It is too hot to drive cars any more. A moratorium has been placed on the usage of any gas or oil burning machine. It is the year 2050.
Where did time go? Now that I see my last minutes with my skin before me. The last looks at my freckles, the last smell of the air, I look back and think was it worth it to live on this strange planet?
As long as I did, the answer is yes. The fact that I lived was not a fucking question. Not up for approval or denial.
The water of life came back, shooting into the atmosphere from a different star. I saw it come from my window as I made my way out of my body. No one would believe me, they thought it was just death delusions. But ever since the days have been getting cooler.
What is a blessing?
I found two dimes today. One under a truck that was on, the other in the middle of the street. I had to ask myself, was it worth it to risk my life in a such a small silly way to get the dimes?
Yes. I saw the dimes as a blessing.
