Most of What Was Said Instead

The dead aren’t in any hurry. Their messages take time to arrive. All of this is brought to you by the brilliant stage magician, Abra Cadabra, and his lovely executive assistant, Barb.

After that, long forgotten apple varieties assume their natural places in the Orchard Mall. And if we call this a narrative instead of a story, we can probably claim it on our tax forms.

After all, reverberation removes immediacy. It articulates space & distance, not just size. An absence of presence drawing attention to itself even as it leaves you. A wind holding its breath.

Over & over, the ocean says nothing. Dulse sizzles in the sun; a blue heron completes the cove. Tide pool creatures whisper without voices.

If only we could be this politically polite.

Nothing says they can live here much longer without us. Nothing anybody says bears repeating, and nobody turns out to be as you imagine them. Everybody has another chance at a new day.

Yes & yet the word nobody uses anymore:

lovely.