Insatiable swimmer

Mindlessly hunting beyond satisfaction

Multiplying without purpose

Conquering without reason

The weight of the ocean

The darkness of the depths

The red devil so called

Demonized in nature

Is it better to be a jellyfish ?

No brain , no spine

Only long flowing tentacles to help me drift

Unwelcome unless docile

Predator only when safe

Essentially avoidable

Holding untapped ancient wisdom

Seen as a spectacle

Neither respected nor demeaned

Simply existing

Let me paint you a picture.

Between the bright blue sky and lush green grass, two tons of metal with our fragile skin and porcelain teeth inside, propels down a cliff at 70 miles per hour. Wrapping around a mountain, leaving dust behind. All that weight, magnetically hanging on. The windshield is so dirty, our speed is brushing the rock wall with clouds of gravel and wind. Out the window is a 1,900 ft drop, separated by a 2 ft guard rail. We’re sitting in this car together, for the next six hours. We found each other, by some chance and some technology. Somehow we agreed to meet, at a certain time, at a certain place and for a certain fee. It just so happens, I’m going where you’re going or at least close enough. Maybe if we’re lucky, we’ll have something to talk about.

I lied about the picture.

Usually, a picture is a single moment in time. It doesn’t matter of what or who or why, but a picture can only contain one visual memory. What I put together for you was a collage, mosaic, mural even. I could probably describe every turn and straight of the 101. But, it’s the composition of each 296 mile trip, North and South, that I want to share. One big well balanced portrait just won’t cut it this time.

The curves and elevations of these trips represent the complicated side of things. The times that we let people down. When we decided to give up on old lives, for new ones. Moments you wished were private. Being seconds away from someone you haven’t seen in months. The flats and straights stand for the simplicities we cherish. Cozy naps in the warm sun. Free weed. The affirmation from a stranger, that you have great taste in music. These beautiful minutes and seconds are only captured spontaneously, by people we may never see again. What a grand tradition. I don’t dare to question this nomadic ritual, because no mounds of rationality can compare to just a spark of magic.

As travelers we leave so much of ourselves in the people we encounter on our journeys. Our best jokes, our outlandish stories, our somber defeats, our beloved conquests, and our most sacred of secrets. Who are these people , who receive these gifts? Who are we to each other once the ride is over? I hope where ever they are now, they understand I was listening as much as I was talking. 

Let me help you study

A stern and needy wife

Leave me alone already

Husbands crowded life

Take me to your favorite place

He walks behind her lovingly

Furrowed brow on her face

He’s always disappointing me

Vacation for one

A weekend away

Relationships done

Move to the bay

Drown during the travel

Almost didn’t make it

Why roam, why settle

What does it mean to fake it?

This trial is a reef

Reaching no definite shore

Momentarily boring, it may be

There is lasting fun in store

A lifetime goes by

Doesn’t seem like much

Small medium large fights

Reason with no luck

We belong in a house

As the jigsaw pieces we are

Fitting edges into vows

This puzzle was meant to go far

“It’s up to you Salvador.”

Two men stared in front of a two story screen. The brightness illuminated the worried and desperate looks on their faces. Salvador, was tall with dark brown hair, eyes and skin. Even he appeared pale in this lighting, discolored, sick with the thought looming over them. His company, Roman was shorter and stout.

“Do you think this is what our training was for?” asked Salvador.

Roman didn’t answer, he didn’t have to. They both knew the answer was yes.

Salvador and Roman had enlisted in the Space program over ten years ago. Together they were taught to make decisions on behalf of an entire planet. Astronomy and the Cosmos were Roman's loves, he always wanted to be closer to them. His partner was fascinated but much more motivated by the thought of returning to light and ground. Decidedly, Salvador was the action. Roman was in charge of conception. The population thanked them and trusted them, yet could not fathom such a responsibility.

Their mission had been described as a “Discovery” Venture. The two men were to be guided to the most powerful place in measurable distance. The greatest source of electricity, to be harnessed by their Space Program to benefit the people it served. The station was finally complete after five long dark years. Positioned, studied, reported, they followed every order knowing their life did indeed depend on it.

Following the completion of construction, they were gifted prizes and praise. Enough riches were promised to live off for a life time. Once they returned home, they would be kings, their great grandchildren would be kings and they would never know struggle.

One last award was sent to the heroes, but it was not mentioned to the rest of the world. It came through as any other normal piece of mail that reaches far-off lightyears. Digitally materialized on a large screen.

Distinguished Cosmonauts and Comrades,

This pivotal mission could not have been possible without the genius of foresight. It is the same genius who embodies our intellect and challenges reality. The greater good is always at the heart of what this program provides to it’s Global Community. With this in mind, we would like to introduce our latest phase in this expedition.

Revelatory projections have brought our science community to the conclusion that we can longer tread our current perceived timeline. It is at an end. The planet we sent you from will no longer exist as it does. Theories of Planet's first formations have inspired a reactionary approach for you to complete. However, it is unsuitable to be divulged to the public. We ask for your discretion. It is your final duty to the human race, to follow instruction and terminate this timeline. If you do not follow the final steps, there will be no hope of restarting its creation.

On behalf of the people from Earth, We Thank you for your service.

They both understood very clearly now. Science had brought them this far, out in space, one with infinity. The same scientists and leaders had played their roles without fail.The orbit of moons, the stars aligned with asteroids, the cosmic wonder that was gravity. The folks remaining on that mass had been manipulated by larger forces. They were oblivious to what the rest of the Universe had in store for them.

Every memory they had, seemed to show itself now, begging to be remembered. The joy they had experienced from being given this quest, the longing to be back with their families.

They had joined the program back on Earth to feel Godly. However it seemed this was a cruel joke. Salvador silently started on the last instructions, meticulously.

“One giant loop.” muttered Roman.

The first time I walked upon train tracks, I felt like a train

No matter how loud, heavy and visible I appeared

People pretended not to see me

They saw animals on the road

Bugs under their shoes

Still nothing

What a lonely life

I don’t remember having friends, I’m not sure what thats like

However

I’d rather bear this burden alone

Best to be alone and one

Two would be twice as horrible

Imagining someone to talk to, share the sights and the sadness

I think, what if they could no longer go on

I’ve been on my own all my life as much as I can conceive of it

Who would even want to wander with me

I have no conversation, they’d at least expect wisdom

Someone would wonder why I couldn’t provide such illustrious sentiments and ideas of what I’ve seen

Yes, best to be alone

Because for that, I have no answer for what I do

I just keep going, it is my purpose

Although I am constantly in presence

It is rare I am engaged

When one beckons me

It is not my job to come

It is my job to wait

Waiting all the time

Alone

One day, I met a man

Old like the others I usually find

He said, “It’s nice to see you. I believe you met my wife last month.”

I smiled, his wife was lovely. Old like him but light like a child.

I saw them walking together for years until she came alone

He seemed like someone I could actually talk to

I asked him, “Why does everyone ignore me?”

he glanced around one last time,

and assured me I shouldn’t be offended, he said:

“Nobody wants to die.”