Unfinished Business

Love is a tautology, belief is a practice

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My old master was fond of teaching purgatory to convicts. He would walk through the park at the touch of dusk and jump at you and grab your shoulders and say “Boo! Your body is made of air” and then you'd look down at yourself and see that yes, what the man just said had indeed come to pass. Incredibly, this barcarolle continued da capo for years. But his limbs were weighed down with creation and before long he would turn around and slink home for a banana and ham sandwich.

In the days of long islands we'd debate the merits of cleaning groceries with Clorox. We ventured into the great unknown of Dolly Parton's American songbook. We closed many doors to keep the heat inside.

Love is a tautology, belief is a practice. Cattail reeds grow thick in the flooding river's shallow waters.

I'm not sure if art is evil but I know it isn't good. The amoral behest of alien dignitaries that would have you understand how they feel. It would be wise to remember the forest of suicides from which they sprang like underbrush beneath a blazing canopy is ready for curt misunderstanding. In this room do not speak until the layers of heaven open for Q&A. In the night we run motionless by foot or plane or train or car towards a Graceland that hides behind the veil of loss. I say we are lost and mostly deserve it. Do not sleep until you reach the mountain's peak. You will shed your skin like a separating rocket and burst the bubble of grace with a nail filed from the prison bars we cut to make our escape.

How many times have words from Inferno been read out loud in the world? And how about Paradiso?

My friend, it's time to make your getaway without me. At the top of this hill there's an empty jar with your name on it. You may fire when ready with your scoped .22. It will bring you to ease while I remain for a time in the arms of unfinished business. The way is prepared for the dimming of the lights. The director has given the go signal. Which side of the curtain is this? 

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