Thursday, April 10, 2014

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVW YZ...a story. (A To Z Challenge)

X has done what no other letter dared do: he has intruded into the world of people, the people who use the letters, in an effort to provide them with an afterlife, but in doing so, has become like a god. Now, what will the alphabet do? At their meeting, each letter takes a moment to weigh in on the subject. 


Today, I talks:




Infinity beckons and I

I I I I I 

I understand the infinite as well as I

I I I

Understand the innocent, the improvident, the inescapable.

I

I

Know the importance of what we do and the ineluctable way that life becomes unimportant, becomes unpleasant, becomes un.

I know these things.

You all know these things, too.

What  is it we stand for?

We are image, icon, ideogram, insignia, idea, we are all these things.

But

What is it that we stand for?

We stand for whatever they want us to stand for.

It is not for us to determine our roles in their existence. It is for them to define us and to redefine us as we see fit.  We are the tools, and shall be become the craftsman, as well? Can the hammer determine what it shall beat? Can the saw determine what it shall  separate? Does the pen dictate the words?

Infinity beckons, always. It is natural to want to be more than we are, or less than we are. For it is a burden, to be what we are and it is a burden to not be enough, equally though different.

I

I I I I I

Praise the impulse that makes us want to help them.

But I

I I I

Condemn the idea of actually doing it.

We may not give them more than they themselves are willing to get.  However much the net may desire to help, it cannot cast itself but must wait for the fisherman to throw it,  and however much we might want to grant them

Immortality

We cannot do that.

I

I I

Am truly sorry, X.

I

Think it would be inestimably wonderful to do what you propose

But the doing of it is inimical to them, our masters, our wards.

If we create it for them, if we give it to them, it is not truly theirs.

And if we have given it we can take it away.

Had they created this on their own, elevated you to the primacy  you sought, and in so doing become themselves  inextinguishable, I would have cheered, you  and them.

But you did this. No god may declare himself so.

I

I I I I I

Feel you must leave, go to whatever icy domains will have you, an idea who exceeded his bounds.

3 comments:

Robin said...

I am drinking my first cup of coffee of the day and STILL struggling with what wants to become an impossible migraine.

I wish that I had a great comment for this story. I really enjoyed the writing.

Andrew Leon said...

An idea who exceeded his bounds...

That's an interesting concept.

Now I'm thinking.

Briane said...

Thanks, you both -- for continuing to read, especially.

Robin, I hope you feel better. Ugh.