I ran into a friend the other day. After some how-are-you-doings, she said: I really enjoy your posts on The Devil’s Gift.
Thank you.
Well, I should say, not all of them, but most.
Really? Which ones don’t you like?
I think you know. I’m tired of the whirlwind. I’m sick of the cabaret. I’m sick of the Chicken Littles. I’m tired of the haranguing. I’m exhausted. Worn out. I need some tranquility. Can’t you please write about something else?
Of course I can. And will. No problem.
And so on Monday I sat down to write a piece, fingertips hovering over the keyboard, determined, eager, ready.
Go on. Begin. Ignore that elephant in your head. Just start!
I couldn’t.
I tried again on Tuesday.
Go on. You can do this! Pretend there’s no elephant in your head.
I couldn’t.
On Wednesday I began writing. It was a piece about the lightning strike near our house a week ago, about our loss of power and, most tragically, our WiFi. We groused, groaned, and moaned. And then remembered Gaza.
That’s it. Great! Keep going. Ignore the elephant. Don’t look at it! It’s pink!
I stopped and walked away.
not to worry dear readers im here for you
you can see the devils beloved advocate quit 200 words shy of his 400 word limit but we mustnt waste that precious space so ive taken over the cockpit
let me introduce myself
im a cockroach
you dont know me but you may remember my father archy
early last century he clandestinely typed missives without capitalizations because the shift key is impossible for cockroaches
i thought id help my beleaguered friend finish this piece since hes got the yips
alas he can’t ignore the elephant in his head so i thought id tell you what us cockroaches think of that cocksure cocksucker in the white house
hes beneath us
you know we cockroaches dont scare easily but we are really scared these days
we don’t feel safe anywhere on the planet and believe me weve been everywhere on this planet and let me tell you this is no planet for cockroaches anymore
we have all agreed to get on the first colonization flight to mars
beam us up elon
thats it im done here
ps may archy and mehitabel rest in peace
That cucaracha does not mince words! 😆
Hooray for cockroaches and retired pastors with the ability to voice what is in our thoughts and prayers!
Love it, keep it coming! I’m with the cockroach.
Archy and Mehitabel! It’s been years since I thought of those guys. (Yes. I’m aware I used capitalization.) I once had a book of all their storied adventures. But like so much from the past, it got away from me. My late wife, Claire, held a rather high opinion of Cockroaches. She said they had personalities and were actually quite clean and self-maintaining. But then she didn’t find bugs icky and scary. Indeed. It’s much better to think of cockroaches than the aberration that currently occupies what’s known now as The Bleak House. Roaches are definitely a higher life form.
I would rather beam up Elon and you know who and all the sycophants but I hear the sentiments. Downright embarrassing. Talk about a bully pulpit. Immigrants, Judges, universities, Ukraine , South Africa, Canada, EU, and Apple etc. Not running the country but running it into the ground.
Ready for the nonviolent revolution…who will step up to lead?
We have a choice to live our dreams or live our fears. The Dalai Lama says that “the real destroyer of inner peace is fear.” The outer circumstances are not pointers to peace. Tranquility is an inside job!
Yes. I’m tired too. We all are. But the first step to change is to acknowledge and understand what’s being done to us. In times like this, that is the work of writers. Thank you for writing what we need to read every week or few days. Turning our faces from the terror doesn’t make it go away. Our discomfort is unpleasant but necessary in a democracy eating itself. Thanks Rev Randy, keep telling the uncomfortable truth.
How our cockroach friend bares his moral contempt at one time and alleges a lack of safety at another doesn’t make sense to me. If the world is indeed much less safe, then the rot must go much deeper than a single man. Our grandstanding does little to solve the problem.
I have the same elephant in my head. I love elephants…going about my days & nites; whispers & elephant cries like Tarzan’s elephants I hear… I find peace where I can – moments of serenity in nature. I read “A Children’s Bible” – rather listen to it… the elephants calls – the lakes & trees give comfort; what we’ve done to them, & to the children…so sad for possibilities lost; yet so hopeful for the lite we carry to guide us, together… we’ll see…
I love the cockroach SO MUCH. I hope he returns.
That’s delightful! 🙂
Have you seen the 2021 movie, Don’t look up? Your post today reminded me of many lines and choices in that satirical movie. The movie suggests that if a person does not pay attention, something crucial, will be missed. The movie specifically uses “Don’t Look Up,” to connect to the failure of world leaders ignoring warnings about an approaching asteroid, leading to potential planetary destruction. The leaders and their followers choose to not look up. I also was reminded of the white bear phenomenon, telling a person to avoid thinking about a white bear. That instruction leads to people thinking about and picturing the white bear. The elephant in the room (Did you choose this because of the symbol of the Republican party?) points to a significant problem that people choose to ignore. The elephant in the room of my mind is AI created, wears a MAGA hat, and is not as intelligent and caring as amazing real elephants. To ignore this huge and oppressive elephant of lies and injustice is to feed and nurture it. I agree with Desmond Tutu, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
PS I detest roaches, glad if they all go to Mars with E.M.
Your friend has a point, it is so difficult to witness. Your friend is welcome to take a break, do some writing themselves, art work, sit wtih friends in the woods, but we are in it, thank you, Randy, good place to take refuge and hear from each other. We are here, whether we like it or not. I quote Maria Ressa, a Philippine journalist jailed for speaking out. Her country was taken over by a dictator I think in 2016..she is speaking to us now…in warning of what is happening to USA. “Don’t sleep walk through the death of Democracy.” She has many such quotes, this one is a good one.
I have a friend who is addicted to the idiot box ( the TV ) He will be watching a program and bitch about it. I asked him the other day…” Does your remote have an OFF button?” I listen to the news on the evening every so often to stay abreast on the latest happening. When I sense my anxiety increasing, I hit the off button and go outside with Mother Nature. She relieves my stress!
Love this! “You done good”
Cocksure cocksucker… is that… alliteration or near rhyme? Love your writing!!