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SUNDOWN
What’s going down in this illusion? There were visions of grandeur just prior and I heard a loud sound. There were people to support my dream and those to knock it back down. And then a rallying cry, “We want the world and we want it now!” But why? To drop empty beer bottles in the parking lot at a Rolling Stones concert? There seems no reason for this perpetual madness. I’ve sought for an answer and couldn’t find any.
I wonder what now hides behind the wall. Heaven and Hell are on the same side of the wall. That makes it even more perplexing. Should I open the door or climb through the window if I don’t know what’s behind? It seems to me that each individual must decide for oneself.
There’s nothing I can do for you on your odyssey through the night. I am caught here in the dawn but the sun refuses to rise any higher until I pay solar taxes and compensation for past use. I really don’t know. Did the sky start to fall in on us? As of yet, I do not know. It seems to me that the clouds are hanging lower.
I look outward and see all that is put aside and locked out. I see all that’s not allowed inside and I contemplate on why it’s so. I sip on my wine and reflect as a conflict arises. I see Mephistopheles or yet I sense his presence though I feel no fright. I stare him in the eyes and glare him down.
It was a ploy that could not slow me down. I instead chose to carry on. I jumped into the night and closed my eyes. I detected a Judas in the crowd but I felt sympathy rather than contempt. I turned to look and saw a gentle face. I felt perplexed but still pulled myself on.
There was a man with a knife in the corner. He pointed it at me but I did not run. I looked at him and asked “Why?” and I stopped to think. I reached into my pockets to pull out a shiny silver dollar. He said, “Man, not that kind of money.”
He motioned for me to go down into the alley. I see him with diamond earrings and jade rings but they were made of bottle caps and I realized that he was as poor as me though he didn’t know better. I handed him a bottle of orange juice and walked away. There was no more use in staying there.
I stepped out and lo and behold, I see a lovely lady with blue eyes and jet black hair. I walk in the same direction as here. She turns to took at me. I think I detect a smile so I introduce myself as Count George. She just giggles. I guess at the absurd notion of an American Count. I too smile faintly and take hold of her hand.
It feels strange at first as I absorb the warmth of her flesh. Then she fades away into oblivion. “Where has she gone?” I cry in anguish. It is over and I realize it is over. So I see a man with a chess board and pieces. He declares, “Checkmate!” but I know I am not yet defeated. I am but a pawn but there’s safety in numbers and I feel no loyalty to any king or queen.
I suddenly feel a victor but I awake in some other place and it feels strange once again. I can see the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore and I know that I am in America. I get up and decide to walk around.
My left sneaker had a flat sole so I took a break. A policeman gives me a ticket for parking my ass in a no sitting zone. I smile at the absurdity because it’s just life. There is no reason for fear just persistence. I decided to act on my fate and control my own destiny. It won’t be easy but I should be free by sundown.
