Relic
When
the digging began, there was great excitement. All manner of words were
uncovered. Long or short, fancy or simple, all the words collected
throughout the different ages of man became changed and in consequence
shifted. Meanings became clearer, then more vague. Man sifted,
sorted, adjusted, and analyzed these artifacts, put them up against
others that could be used for better effect. Vocal expressions were used
for barter and to build industry, more were used in the modern age to fortify
citadels, subsequently a distinct lexicon used with technology presented
itself. All the words and phrases utilized in schools, businesses, and
churches, glossaries collected throughout eons, wherever men gathered to do the
things they did, all were recorded. Yet in the end, these collections of
morphemes had changed so much they lost their meaning. Finally, few were
left, only enough to write this eulogy which no new pilgrim can now read.
Among
rocks and trees,
Which
he destroyed
To
meet his own ends.
Now
his end
Has
been met,
There
is no more to tear down
To
prop him up.
The
fragile being,
Who
for a flicker of time,
Imagined
immortality
Was
his for the asking.”
Linda Imbler
Linda Imbler is the author of the published poetry
collections “Big Questions, Little Sleep,” “Lost and Found,” and “The
Sea’s Secret Song.”
She is a Kansas-based Pushcart Prize Nominee.
Her work has been published in numerous national and international
journals. Linda’s creative process and a listing of publications can
be found at lindaspoetryblog.blogspot.com.
Tags:
Short Fiction