A poetic interpretation for sure. If I wind up borrowing that later on, I'll know who to thank. Meanwhile, many thanks for reading and commenting, Dane.
Once again you have touched a place I seldom go. Thank you.
"Only a coward turns from revenge, but without warning I wondered if this old man, a thin prisoner of our desire, or I should say my desire, a desire of strong against weak, should be left to consume himself with drink and stink, and return alone to the flatlands where his life would be thrown to the brush fires and forgotten, or if we, greater than lesser dirt, must rise as gods and punish the feeble and cruel."
Golly, Victor! "...an old café that smelled of someone’s stale dreams.... frail tea ... bonedust ... hungry people and other dirt...a grand king of gunny sacks and junk....graveled and bent...." Magic words, my friend, magic words.
But here is the rub: "I’d have to find another reason to live." This story speaks of a lifelong seeking of revenge, but it is also the answer to why people do not alter their beliefs, even when they are proven wrong without a doubt. It is just too much work to find another reason to live... Thanks for this marvelous story.
Yes, I realize it was a stretch to turn from the goal, but sometimes love can be a powerful agent of change. So says my optimistic side anyway. And I've seen it first hand, although your point is well taken, because I've seen the opposite first hand,also. You raise an interesting observation that's getting my brain gears spinning....many thanks for reading and commenting, Sharron.
A powerful reflection on the conflict of retribution and forgiveness. Forgiveness is often seen as weakness, or as morally ambiguous. This story encapsulates that perception and reminds us to reconsider what it means to forgive. A great accomplishment.
Thank you, Mike. I struggled with this one, the balance, as you say of retribution and forgiveness. I appreciate your reading and commenting, and glad you enjoyed it.
![Dynamic Creed [Oddified Fiction]](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_36,h_36,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0e1033d7-484e-4f07-8ca4-9f5e73fde2ba_500x500.png)
Another timeless, elegant, punch in the gut. "How they live flat and worship small things." This is wonderful Victor.
Thank you Jim. I really appreciate your reading and commenting. And thanks for the inspiration from your story, friend.
Dreams that breath dirt and exhale its dust.
A poetic interpretation for sure. If I wind up borrowing that later on, I'll know who to thank. Meanwhile, many thanks for reading and commenting, Dane.
Once again you have touched a place I seldom go. Thank you.
"Only a coward turns from revenge, but without warning I wondered if this old man, a thin prisoner of our desire, or I should say my desire, a desire of strong against weak, should be left to consume himself with drink and stink, and return alone to the flatlands where his life would be thrown to the brush fires and forgotten, or if we, greater than lesser dirt, must rise as gods and punish the feeble and cruel."
Thank you Joyce, for reading and commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
This is one of my favorites of yours, which says a lot since I’m a huge fan of all your words
I'm glad you liked it, Trilety. Many thanks for reading and your lovely comment.
Golly, Victor! "...an old café that smelled of someone’s stale dreams.... frail tea ... bonedust ... hungry people and other dirt...a grand king of gunny sacks and junk....graveled and bent...." Magic words, my friend, magic words.
But here is the rub: "I’d have to find another reason to live." This story speaks of a lifelong seeking of revenge, but it is also the answer to why people do not alter their beliefs, even when they are proven wrong without a doubt. It is just too much work to find another reason to live... Thanks for this marvelous story.
Yes, I realize it was a stretch to turn from the goal, but sometimes love can be a powerful agent of change. So says my optimistic side anyway. And I've seen it first hand, although your point is well taken, because I've seen the opposite first hand,also. You raise an interesting observation that's getting my brain gears spinning....many thanks for reading and commenting, Sharron.
A powerful reflection on the conflict of retribution and forgiveness. Forgiveness is often seen as weakness, or as morally ambiguous. This story encapsulates that perception and reminds us to reconsider what it means to forgive. A great accomplishment.
Thank you, Mike. I struggled with this one, the balance, as you say of retribution and forgiveness. I appreciate your reading and commenting, and glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for reading and commenting, John. I'm glad you liked it.