Here comes the coming war, winching up a man- hole, slippery, new to itself, not yet in a squad of ardent followers cheering in the bleachers, their tossled heads not yet arrayed in a military lineup of black subtractions. Like baby eagles, they have much to learn and lack the time. From battle-ax to bomb they hack the fanglements of carnage on their I-pads dripping digital blood to game a nearby brawl. They’ll graduate in lock step and soar into the frightened air. Is this what the next election has in store, another war to end the war? Then send the grizzled generals to linger over Syria, remotely playing chess against indifferent drones in high alert on secret planes. We’ll zero in to count the ripened dead and ask, “who is it benefits,? Who won the pool?” For now their mothers pick them up at middle school.
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Readers’ Comments
- Laurel Wexman { I am re- reading this for the millionth time, through tears, once again. It is absolutely perfect! }
- Antonie Becker { Beautifully movingly written so, Thank God, the talent and ability is still somehow, miraculously, intact. }
- Jim Brennan { Garry, you mentioned this piece at the PVTU meeting - nicely written. It had me searching around, as things like this tend to do, for... }
- Dan Minnock { Hello All, Are you taking submissions for the June 2022 contest? }
- D. Oakleaf { Dear James, Thank you for sharing this outstanding essay. My father also built a "Z-Box" and I've recently taken up learning its backstory, even if... }
- F. J. Bergmann { We're near the end of 2021. When will the 2020 Fiction Contest results be announced? }
- Dawn Holmes { Blimey - what a read........we just celebrated a UK and anyone else who could make it - Cusichaca reunion at our home in Scotland -... }
- Literal Latte { Thanks, Richard, that is much appreciated! You stay safe, too! }
- Literal Latte { Hi James and Michelle (and other writers who have inquired) -- We're truly sorry about the delay. It looks like results for the fiction contest... }