"It isn't enough for a sole voice of reason to exist. In this time of uncertainty, we are so sure that villains lurk around every corner that we will create them ourselves if we can't find them — for while fear may keep us vigilant, it's also fear that tears us apart — a fear that sadly exists only too often — outside the Twilight Zone." This is the closing narrative from an episode of The Twilight Zone that first aired March 4, 1960: The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street. Poetry or prose

dianetex

28 reads

These Days....

I feel as if our days of present are just flat out giving us the finger

they seem to be somewhere between the Twilight Zone

or perhaps an episode of Jerry Springer

Society's norms and its levels of unreal have reached a deeper realm of the unknown

We know wrong and bad have always been

but there is such a decline among us

good is still represented, but lately it has been taking it on the chin

the slightest glance or word can send someone into a violent fuss

I don't like to watch the news

people behaving badly

if one of us is a victim of evil we all lose

it truly takes a piece of our peace sadly

We are all connected and together we need to stand

as one we can shake our heads, but in numbers we can bring change

we need to sweep the hate, the violence, and the wrongs that rage across our land

coming together should be natural, not extraordinary or strange.

As Rod Serling would say in only the way he could

"Imagine if you will...."

A world where we chose love not hate and lived as we should

Where we could take a moment to breathe in peace and just be still.

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Challenge

Nothing new under the sun

"It isn't enough for a sole voice of reason to exist. In this time of uncertainty, we are so sure that villains lurk around every corner that we will create them ourselves if we can't find them — for while fear may keep us vigilant, it's also fear that tears us apart — a fear that sadly exists only too often — outside the Twilight Zone." This is the closing narrative from an episode of The Twilight Zone that first aired March 4, 1960: The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street. Poetry or prose

7v7

18 reads

It’s all been Done

Locked and filed.

But above the Sun

there hovers potential

on the dark periphery

not yet vulnerable

to critique

of mind... time

or its gadgetry

weightless like all things

in outer space afloat

and formless in the void,

that composite blackness

from which all inklings

emerge, uncuffed

light lined and

twinkling

as fathomable

...Released

like prisoners

on parole

03.08.2024

The Monsters are Due on Maple St. challenge @dctezcan

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Challenge

Nothing new under the sun

"It isn't enough for a sole voice of reason to exist. In this time of uncertainty, we are so sure that villains lurk around every corner that we will create them ourselves if we can't find them — for while fear may keep us vigilant, it's also fear that tears us apart — a fear that sadly exists only too often — outside the Twilight Zone." This is the closing narrative from an episode of The Twilight Zone that first aired March 4, 1960: The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street. Poetry or prose

GerardDiLeo

16 reads

Wringe Horrific

"Uncle Mortimer!" said little David.

"Uncle!" said little Rachel.

"Tell us about Wringe," asked little David.

"Tell us how it's the most horrible, terrifying, scary thing in the whole world," asked little Rachel.

"Where'd you hear about that?" he asked them.

"From you," said David.

"In your journal," said Rachel.

"Please!" begged David.

"Yes," added Rachel.

"Oh! Tell us!" they shouted together.

Mortimer lit candles and waited for them to settle. The wavering flames grew threatening shadows on their beds.

"You must be very brave," he warned, "to even hear about Wringe Horrific. It's not for children. Just knowing about it hurts."

"We're brave," boasted David.

"And strong," bragged Rachel.

"Very well," Mortimer began.

Their being small children, he would spare them the full details. Still, were these two ready to hear what Wringe did? Even what its urine could do to people. Or how it digested someone? Or the other horrific things?

If there were limits to cruelty and pain, they weren't in this Hell-beast: cruelty upon cruelty atop brutality upon savagery upon superhuman tortures. Mortimer, strangely immune, knew many had died of fright just hearing about it.

The Wringe story can hypnotize the teller. Caught up in his storytelling, he was bewitched to the point where he continued, unabated, without regard to the small boy and girl. He didn't notice the wide-eyed terror on their faces. He couldn't appreciate the precipitous, headlong rush of adrenaline seeding their bloodstream. Their racing pulse or their cold sweats. Or the hair falling out as he spoke.

Their parents arrived next morning; they awakened Mortimer but couldn't arouse their two children.

"What have I done!" shouted Mortimer.

Later, doctors examined the children at the apothecary in town. Sadly, their comas persisted, week-by-week; then for months. They were wan; they had sores. They festered. David would choke periodically, requiring resuscitation. Rachel lost several toes with a black foot, imperiled. Their parents took shifts, but Mortimer remained bedside.

One miraculous day, David and Rachel re-opened their eyes!

Mortimer was beside himself with joy; their parents were summoned. The children awoke confused but, finally, they spoke.

"Whoop!" choked David. "Again!"

"Yea! Again!" shouted Rachel.

"Oh! Tell us again!" shouted both, together.

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Challenge

Nothing new under the sun

"It isn't enough for a sole voice of reason to exist. In this time of uncertainty, we are so sure that villains lurk around every corner that we will create them ourselves if we can't find them — for while fear may keep us vigilant, it's also fear that tears us apart — a fear that sadly exists only too often — outside the Twilight Zone." This is the closing narrative from an episode of The Twilight Zone that first aired March 4, 1960: The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street. Poetry or prose