Month: October 2018

Ding Dong!

Jean Nathaniel

 

“Everyone’s entitled to one good scare.”

That’s what my friends say, offering the dare.

They know I get nervous; they laugh at my fears.

My cries and complaints? They fall on deaf ears.

Enough is enough; I will not wimp out.

I’ll conquer my nerves and swallow my doubts.

———–

The house, it looms larger, the lights are still on.

My heart begins pounding; we crisscross their lawn.

My friend rings the doorbell, I squeeze my eyes shut.

My mouth is like sawdust; there’s pain in my gut.

I hear random shuffling from inside the door.

My buddies take flight; I’m nailed to the floor.

The door, it creaks open, my eyes wide with fear.

My skin is all goose bumps, my pulse in high gear.

 

They’re worse than I dreamed of — a hideous bunch!

A live human family; I may lose my lunch.

The father is frightening: thick, curly dark hair,

Long lashes and muscles, jaw – movie star square.

The woman is ghastly, flowing blonde locks.

An hour-glass figure, abs tight as a rock.

Their kids could be models; oh what a sick sight!

Their good health is obvious, their eyes clear and bright.

Each member revolting; cast from my worst dreams.

And strangely enough, when they saw me, they screamed!

 

Slam! Goes the door. I suck in a breath.

You’d think they were frightened and scared half to death.

Then out from the bushes, my friends, float so near

Each laughing and pointing, enjoying my fear.

Translucent in moonlight, suspended in air

Our ghost gang assembles0 to choose our next scare.

 

 

Euphemisms, People.  Euphemisms.

Brett R. Keenan Nathaniel

I am Death.  And, I am dying.  I used to be respected; feared; loathed.  Now, I dwindle in disrespect and have become one big euphemism.  Everyone’s entitled to one good scare.  If Death doesn’t do that for ya’, what will?  I ask you!  But my mission has collapsed into inane bromides, such as:

Joined the great majority

Gone to a better place

Promoted to Glory

Took a dirt nap

Joined the choir invisible

Sleeping with the fishes

Freed one’s horses

Terminated with Extreme Prejudice

Counting worms

Bought the farm

Kicked the bucket

Gave up the ghost

At the happy hunting ground

Crossed the Jordan

Bit the big one

Shuffled off this mortal coil

Cashed in one’s chips

Assumed room temperature

Wearing a pine overcoat

Road the pale horse

Met one’s maker

Took the last train to glory

Not with us anymore

Went to one’s reward

Checked out

Stepped off

Handed in one’s dinner pail

Erased

 

I too am Erased.  Done for.  Bought the Farm.  Grrr.  Even I am tainted by these … these crass sayings.  I am DEATH.  FEAR ME!!!

 

Just One

Nathaniel Nathaniel

I jumped slightly at the voice in my head, and the nurse must have noticed.

“That’s the AI that will now be with you. It’ll be what makes this process in the future easier. You can now be rebooted at any time.”

Rebooted…my wife! I turned to the other bed, and she was still in it. Unmoving.

I ran up to her, but there was no response. The nurse was folding the sheet over her face.

“Wait!” I cried, pulling back at the sheet. “If we die, they’ll just start us back up again! That’s what they say! Bring her back!”

The nurse looked sadly back at me. ““I’m afraid I don’t think it’s designed to work like that. It’s after this procedure that that is true. It’s true for you now. But she is gone, I’m sorry.”

The blunt nature, the seeming indifference of this nurse hurt more than anything else. The love of my life these 60 years. Gone, and only I care.

I care too, Harold. And don’t worry, now you have me! All is well.

I just cried.