She could hear her mother's voice from the grave, 'Is it worth it?' The world tilts out of kilter. Sun sears her eyeballs. Cool tarmac against her face. Shards of broken green glass. A dent in a red metal bin. Memories of the night before. Anger and hatred. Standing firm. Too slow to run. Her … Continue reading THE MORNING AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE
Day Twenty-Two: Today we climbed to the peak above our valley and staked our flag. We had an official ceremony with just original the founders of the New State of America. Later we joined the others building the wall around our border. We don't want to build barriers, but we have to do something to … Continue reading THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
A STORY OF VITUPERATION IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA ‘A poor turnout. I thought there would have been more.’ Steiner looked out over the square. Behind the protesters the Hofburg, the Presidential Palace, sat unperturbed, protected by the line of police in riot gear. ‘How many are you counting?’ Valentina scanned the gathering, ‘A few thousand, five … Continue reading V IS FOR VIENNA, AUSTRIA
A STORY OF INSURRECTION IN IAȘI, ROMANIA Stefan heard the loud bang followed by the command to open up. Before he had time to get out of bed the apartment door was battered down and the sound of numerous boots were pounding through his small hallway. They found him in the bedroom. ‘Stefan Prutianu, you are … Continue reading I IS FOR IAȘI, ROMANIA
Sayadaw Ashin Nanda bowed his head. A steady stream of vehicles passed by. Drivers stared at the monk. Fingering his prayer beads, he asked for answers. The noise of the city faded into the background. He tried to recall what the scene would have looked like fifty years ago. *** Thích Quảng Đức, the Vietnamese … Continue reading THE BURNING MONK
