Tag: wordle

There was a fire in the pit of her stomach, and regardless of the label “catastrophe” bestowed upon her by social media content creators, she continued to create art that was shocking and visceral, begging people to wake up to the raw reality around them.

She never guessed how the establishment would eventually come after her over it.

“Let’s get drinks later,” Jess said to her assistant, Shawna. “I need a break. We can wallow in our misery and blame the drastic policies of our leadership for our foul moods, and say nasty things about them screwing up our world!”

Charlie thought he had given a rousing speech; actually, most sane people considered it babbling or some demonic rap only his followers understood. Leaning on the unfurled birch bark, leaving an imprint on my skin, it reminded me to straighten up or continue to be uncomfortable. I took a long sip from my water bottle, thoughts of wishing to be exiled swirling in my head, and my hands wringing with disgust at this scene before me. The chirping of sparrows in the brush piped up; presumably, they detected the danger in the slot of the pallet where the snake appeared.

I had only been back two days from my mission when the fighting on Earth began. True to their word, the terrorists had promised disruption; their plans were successful. They say staying positive is the best medicine, so I tried to laugh and smile my way through the devastation. But I couldn’t help clenching my fists tightly instead.

Agitated, I took a walk around the space station, watching one fire after another erupt on my planet. My face, dripping rivers of tears; my body, feeling a psychological episode start brewing. It was about to rip me apart, piece by piece.

I breathe deeply, sitting in a cross-legged pose, trying to let go of all the agitation I feel. It’s hard, but I continue. As the peace starts to enter my consciousness, I begin to feel free in my body. The seeds of tranquility find fertile ground within as the space surrounding me exudes lightness. The stream in the background begs me to listen to its calming trickles over the rocks and the roots in the riverbed. It is a sweet melody of calm. A vision begins to speak to me loudly—Get off your butt NOW! You have things to do!

My companion’s breath pelts me like prickly steam when he faces me to speak. No wonder it hurts. It is 30 degrees below zero in these forests. Our bundles get heavier as we trudge beneath the clouds, but we stay focused on the track toward the castle. We have legends to meet. The caravan behind us sweeps away the footprints and lines left behind, leaving not a trace on the white carpet. One wagon wheel creeks with every rotation, reminding us of our journey. A mother tends to her crying child; her loving touch is enough to calm his screams.