The Times They Aren't A-Changin'

It was an unexpectedly good feeling I had, just swinging my legs and looking at the stars in space. This kind of enjoyment doesn't happen very often. So I sat for a while and wondered why life isn't like this more.

Then some thing happened.

A Doubt slithered in. There was no good reason or basis or cause for it whatsoever. My instinct was to ignore it and go on swinging. Faith begets faith.

Instead, I looked down - perhaps to make sure my frolicking legs wouldn't hit anything - and I saw nothingness. They dangled into a blackness too deep for the human mind to comprehend. That's when I realized I'm sitting on the edge of the universe.

I looked behind me to slowly start backing away and saw a mystical girl standing there smiling at me - I assumed it was a smile of pity. I scooted backwards until I could safely get on my feet without danger of falling off.

I felt a need to explain and/or apologize for my reckless behavior to the observing girl. "Pretty crazy being on the edge like that." Her smile remained the same. "I, uh, actually have no idea how I got myself in that position."

I cringed the minute I saw her mouth open in what I was sure to be a painful rebuke, when she simply said:

"Innocence."

********************

When Sunshine Suzy disappeared into the countryside she always went someplace magical. I never dared ask to go with her. Perhaps because I didn't feel magical enough myself but also because I felt she went to a place only she can go. I was just grateful to have the privilege of speaking to her of her adventures and thrilled in her stories.

"Suzy! Where you been this time?"

"Catching rainbows!"

"Great! How many ya got now?"

"Ninety-nine."

"Impressive! What are you going to do with all those rainbows?"

"When I get to a hundred I'm going to release them all at once."

"Sounds awesome but what's the point of releasing them?"

"So everyone can see! As a reminder."

"Reminder to what?"

"That it can be done."

"Then they already know?"

"Sure, but that's not how they act. Why does a thirsty man refuse water?"

"Do you really think your reminder will help? Many might find it painful."

"Rainbows do not bring pain."

"True, but people won't like being reminded of what they're cheating themselves out of."

"I do know one person who will like it, pain or no pain."

"Oh, who's that??"

"Me."

********************

"Dang, Elroy, yoo nose what I ben missin?"

"No, wat dat be, Leroy?"

"Linchins!"

"Dagnabbit, yoo got that rite!!"

"Them wuz good timez. Hole town yuse ta git tegethers, a good familee eevent."

"Is them peeple that ruinz itall - thats dere name?"

"Woak! Woak peeple taring this hear good cuntry in too!"

"Wat's in tarnation rong wit thems?? Thinks theyse better'n us when reely it us dat better'n!"

"Aint nuthin' thay woant ruinz! Econumicals an' everythin'."

"Gots dat rite! I give's me monee to da rich man liken good Merican sposte ta!"

"Exacataly! Iz war on us Kristins iz wat it iz."

"Peeps dat duz rite allwaze ben pursacutabled!"

"Wat dat Rushya guy, Putins? Him doins rite! Killin's all day jues, nigers, and faggits."

"Now datz a goods Kristin, for ya! Iffen weeze jess gits evree onez liken us hole world be saived!"

"Prays da Lord! Dat dere sum good ol fashunt commin scents!"

"Darnn shaim it iz. Weeze yused ta nose better'n, butt knot nose moore..."

********************

"Poor, Harry, always down in the mouth. never gets what he wants."

"Tell me about it!" I concurred with my accuser.

"Tell us, Harry, why can't you have what you want? Enquiring minds want to know!"

"Love the English spelling there, but, no, I can have what I want."

"Then why don't ya, ya idiot!"

"Because I don't believe I can have what I want."

"A non-believer, eh? Well, try this on for size and try believing."

"Well, when I do believe I can have I want I can no longer have it."

"That can't be!"

"A non-believer, eh?"