Story Old as Time
It takes the whole nation to make a tyrant. And it takes a tyrant to make the whole nation wake up.
I want to tell you a story, about a corrupt human being drunk on power and gold (is there anyone who can't be corrupted by those two?) and I want you to listen carefully, even though the entity of history has this story written over and over again. We still fell for that king, so the story needs to be told again.
No one was immune to the seduction of the United Throne. It sat at the heart of the human continent. Surrounded by shining cities like jewels stitched to the night sky. He wasn't the only one to try and take it by force. But he was the smartest, he played on the fears of the people, the hate simmering just beneath the surface. He played at the sleep-walking subjects doing what they've been told to do with no objection. He played at the cynics, crying that no power could derange the current of time, no human was able to take the stylus of history and write whatever he wanted.
But night always comes to dawn. And the darkest times are the labor of the brightest lights. And so when he took the throne by force, a ripple went through the threads of time. It shook continents awake. It was, as everyone remembers it, the time to look in a daze at their surroundings, and to decide that this is not the way History will be written. And that that stylus is most honest when many hands join together to hold it.
I'll tell you a story old as time. I want you to stay awake, from start to finish, and then keep yourself awake after that. Because this story should never be forgotten.
How to Fight
You fight by starting small, in your own home or in your neighborhood. You fight when you do something good, when you are stubbornly positive in the grim faces looking at you from every corner. You fight by speaking up. You fight when you open up your heart for empathy, when you understand that the pain you once felt is now mirrored in another human being. You fight when you do what you need to do, what you love to do, because the world so desperately needs for actions done out of love. You fight when you refuse to be led out of fear. You fight when you learn. And when you stay up late to study or work. And when you kiss your loved one and hug your friend. You fight when you watch a movie because you need a good laugh. And when you converse with a book, and when you see a beautiful painting and let it touch your soul.
You fight when you take care of yourself, when you love your body and mind. When you show that love in action. When you kiss your scars and hold the body that houses your soul. When you forgive your own mistakes. You fight when you fail, when you know you did your best. You fight when you tell yourself it's okay, and when you stand up and try again.
You fight now. In this moment. Not in any other time.
Lost at Sea
I am the Pirate King... let me rephrase.... I was SUPPOSE to be the Pirate King. At the moment, I'm chained below deck awaiting my fate. God, I'm bored! You think being a captive would be exciting...Not...
I should have seen it coming, all the signs that he gave. I always knew he was a traitor. I just never predicted him to have the guts to over throw me!
He would rolled his eyes at my commands. I heard him complain about me behind my back. He corrupted my crew with his poisonous ideas. Yes, he was drunk with anger against me and he forced it down my fellow mates' throats too!
Louis and George come to unlock me from the wall. I would rather have the chains back on with the way they grip my wrists. I smile as they drag me up the stairs any way.
"Sun out today?" I asked, "It's kinda hard to tell down here."
They ignored me.
"Yeah, I could use a nice cup of whiskey right now. Thanks for asking."
Still nothing. They never understood my humor.
The light blinded me as I was thrown at Joseph's feet. He wore my coat and carried my sword. I couldn't pretend to smile this time.
Joseph gave me a crooked grin," We have a weakling before us. He deprived us from our true potential. The moment his head is severed, we will no longer be the outcasts of the sea but pirates. We will show no mercy!"
I clench my jaw. He was going to create hell with the other pirates and counties we have made treaties with.
" Someone hand me a knife," Joseph demanded," I want to cut out his heart first."
No one moves. Cutting out another mans heart was against the pirate code. It was a sign of disrespect and a devil crusted spirit.
Joseph rolled his eyes," No?... then let me help you guys out!"
He pulled the trigger on his pistol, killing Louis who was the unfortunate soul in range.
The crew all became quiet with shock and horror.
My hands began to cramped from holding them in fists so tightly.
"You all thought you were getting rid of a king," Joseph yelled out to the men," But now you've got a dictator!"
"Attack him!" I shout though it is in vain. My crew....Joseph's crew, did not move.
Joseph chucked," Times up old friend."
He grabbed the dagger from the fallen Louis and pierced it into my chest." I don't recognize this sea," I mumble as pain and darkness takes me.
After dawn is not dusk
We took peace for granted, since we did not know that the little conflict between brothers and friends always ended with both parties drinking or laughing.
All that changed, the day the white spirits arrived. Our once beloved king got poisoned by the mysterious gifts they offered. Every night the king's guard would seize families from every town in the kingdom. They would be taken to the cauldrons of the white spirits. These cauldrons could move on water, they then travel deep into the yellow sun until the cauldrons disappeared.
Pandemonium rocked the kingdom. Many tried to run, but they got killed by the juju of the white spirits. Everytime the juju takes a life, it always makes a terrible noise like an angry thunderstorm that frightens anyone close by.
Furthermore, the white spirits were also interested in our farm produce. The king stationed his guards on every farmland. Any farmer who refused to weed his crops or cultivate more seeds would be beaten with wet twigs.
During harvest, all farm produce is taken to the kings courtyard. Little rations is bestowed to the farmers, majority of the harvest is given to white spirits in appreciation for the fruitful harvest. We had used white powders on our farms, which was given to us by the white spirits.
No one had cowries to buy anything. They had become worthless since the white spirits came. Whatever we needed, we bartered amongst one another.
In the midst of peril, I began to recruit brothers and sisters far and wide. Together we became the resistance. From the ashes of our fallen compatriots, we intend to rise and fight for our freedom.
GLOSSARY
White spirits: colonial masters
Cauldrons : ships
juju : gun
White powder: fertilizers
cowries: money
Hey
Hey! Yeah Hey,
Yeah of course I am fine
No it's just that clubbing is not really my thing
you know all the music and stuff?
Really one on one is more what I prefer
For yeah of course
how can I say?
That sometime's just as I am about to enter
I hear the music get louder
the crowds, the people,
everyone around
No, I know you are all good
it's just me that's a bit out
Still now it's a lot better
I dare atleast hang out
And something I realize
big groups aren't a crowd
And sometimes if I pause,
and wait until the music fades
I can walk inside and take my place
Dear John
John...I am scared. If you are reading this something terrible has happened. I fear that is exactly how this will end...terribly. I have locked myself in the closet and it is dark, I can see a little light under the door but that is all. John...There is something out there, outside this door. I can hear it now. Oh, God John it's horrible. All I can hear is gargling and shuffling and scratching. What is it John! John...Something just bumped the door! Shhhh....I must be quiet now John...I hear him...not him...I can hear it.
But I must calm myself. I need to say some things. If you are reading this you will know that I was found naked and Phillip is laying on the floor outside in the bedroom. John you will know what happened and I cannot tell you how sorry I am. If you are reading this you will read about all the days before this and you will know everything. Everything horrible and evil about me...I am so sorry. If you are to know anything ever again please know that you were always my only true love...I don't know how this happened...it just did. And now God is punishing me...oh God please!
Dammit!
Dammit!
John...what Phillip and I had meant nothing... I do not know if I was lonely, or angry or just weak, God, I just don't know, it's just too crazy. You have been so distant since the baby...I have been so alone. Damn, you John why did you leave me alone so many nights! I hated you...I hated you...I hate you now.
No I don't John...I love. I do...I love you no matter how this looks. This didn't mean....
Oh...John...JOHN!...whatever is out there knows I am in here. It's scratching the door. Oh my God John help me!
Help me!
Shhh...quiet
I saw it...I saw it John. It pushed it's fingers under the door. My God John it was wearing Phillips wedding ring. I could see his wedding ring. That thing has taken Phillips ring...what is going on! I can't take this John...I can't breath. I must calm down.
I'm better now. John, please know this meant nothing. I did not love Phillip and I feel horrible that this is how it will end. I wish I could take everything back. I want to go back to when we were happy...remember that day at the college? We had that $3 bottle of wine and that cheap cheddar cheese that tasted like wax? Do you remember that day John? Please, remember that day...we were so happy and in love. Do not remember this day John...today never happened but that day at the college happened. It was a sunny day and we were on the quad behind the Union building...You were my Enormous Druid and you said the cheese was confusing and not delicious. Oh, we laughed. And we kissed. I loved you John...I love you now.
I am calm now. Whatever is outside this door is going to break in soon. I know my end now. I love you. Take care of the baby...raise him to be the man you are. He will do so much and go so far. Do not tell him of this day or how I was found. Tell him about how I loved you and remember the happy times.
Forever yours
Angie
