There's something about winter

When it snows

When the sky turns red and cobalt blue

The silence it brings

Its like every breath condensation is saying something

Speaking the unspoken

When the outside is so cold

That the soul starts warming up

from the memories and feelings

I walk outside

The crowded places as quiet as ever

I can hear the snowflakes landing on my dress

The cold burn of wind hitting my face

The sound of my boots walking on snow

I can feel it all

I tilt my head upwards

Snowflakes are now landing on my face

Gently

With care

THIS mirror sees things in a different way

December 12, 2024

You don't, but it does

From every line on your face

To every crack in your skin

THIS mirror sees it all

Don't try hiding those cellulite thighs

Don't keep a brave face after hearing devastating news

Don't bother with the lies that let you sleep at night

THIS mirror sees through it all

Pop a pimple; you won't look better

That skin creme can't make you younger

That affair shouldn't add spice to your life

THIS mirror could tell you the truth, if only you would listen

There is a fine line between what we want to know

Between what we want to hear

Between what we want to see

And the reality of what the actual truth is

THIS mirror plays no favorites

THIS mirror pulls no punches

THIS mirror offers no quarter

Nor asks for one in return

THIS mirror is not for the faint of heart

No disguise is so good so as not to penetrate

No ruse is so bold so as not to discredit

No lie is told so often so as not to believe

THIS mirror is what everybody needs

But few actually want

Behold the majesty of ugly truth

Behold the power of THIS mirror

First off, I'm a peaceful man. So when I see a post that's obviously written by AI, I take a moment to read it and appreciate the saccharine quality of the writing, like a Hallmark Channel movie that's so fucking inoffensive I want to take a bat to the TV.

Now I'm sorry, I lost my temper and that's not right.

The great thing about AI writing is that it's always so positive—the bad guys always come around at the end to see things with renewed optimism, and the endings are always happy endings. (Not what I mean, pervert!) AI writing is so sweet that I can taste it, like a piñata, brightly colored and filled with candy. A piñata filled with all the things I hate and a sign that says "Beat me to a fucking pulp, you dick!" A piñata that prompts me to pick up my bat and slam it. And when the candy sprays across the ground, to go around and beat every goddamn piece until it's an unrecognizable batter of molecules.

So I guess that sums up how I feel about creative writing that's generated by AI and those creative writers (you know who you are, winky winky) who pass it along as their own. Thank you very much. And have a good day. Make it a great one!

12/1/2024

Today, I am going to revel in the wonderment I made it this far.

Later today, I am going to reread everything I have ever published.

Tomorrow, I am going to begin the second chapter of my unfinished life.

Tentatively entitled, "My New Bucket List."

Then start knocking it off, one by one.

Thanks - Andy Betz.

pulled over and tried to hold back, I hopped out of the car and puked behind a reddish colored rock. ugh I tried to keep my mind off the rest of the drive home and turned the radio to a different station. Luckily I made it home without any more...feelings-the word stings my tongue--but after getting home.....

well,

that's a different story.

A tiny house in California

Could buy us a mansion way out here

The sad part is i know we hate this place

We’re running but we cant go fast

We’re treading over broken glass

Is it our feet or our heads that know we’re bleeding

Everyone goes

I know i know i know

But we’re getting way too comfortable hating ourselves

Like the stars we wished on are just giant balls of gas

But everyone goes

I know i know i know

Took some pills, maybe I’ll feel better

Can you get high off of Benadryl

It’s four am and I’m still wide awake

I blew all my cash in 16 hours

I can’t even pay my bills

I give a new definition to “starving artist”

So i have to go

I know i know i know

A corpse they found underneath San Domingo bridge

I want to tell you, but all my words are wrong

So I have to go

I know i know i know

So we gotta go

I know i know i know

I took your word and abandoned it

The moment you left was the moment i hid

Feel the blood running down my wrists

But im terrified it’s all in my head

I’ll go out to public-owned land

And call 911 before I lose my head

Will I decompose before someone cares?

Will they scream “WE WERE JUST RIGHT HERE!”

Or Will aliens pick me up and take me far

Was Heaven’s Gate that crazy after all?

Or will I die, and that’s it?

Purpose is what idiots make of it

Are these all warning signs

Maybe i should get help this time

My therapist doesnt think I'm crazy

Is there hope for an alien like me?

A silenced gun, and a happy face

Is the silence my happy place?

I love this piece, a beautifully written dark and light piece about a famous threshold unavoidable to us.

Here's the vid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmhIIrpMHbY

And.

As always...

Thank you for being here.

-The Prose. team