[ 1 ]

Gray splices of wood

bind themselves on the chalk-white

shed door. The peachy bricks are

still warm from last night.

What a dim bulb, I think. It lingers

over the large green cans.

A dozen pedestrians

meander by, racing

to clock in for Monday morning.

The white shed doors intently

watch the people passing by.

Curiously, they are slightly split.

Heaps of black plastic

droop over one another,

anxious to be weighted and lifted.

A green vehicle pulls in

the space next to the cubicle.

A tall man steps out

and rummages through a cardboard box.

A glass snow-globe emerges from the clutter.

Tiny pages of glitter rain down

on a cramped-up underwater city.

The freeway carries on over head.

They don’t stop.

They don’t look.

If they knew, they would snap their

spines just to catch a glimpse.

I pour more tea into my mouth

as I stare into the open slit of the twin doors.

[ 2 ]

On the other hand,

the great investigator

analyzes shimmering drizzled dust,

hoping for unfamiliar

grooves and furrows.

The exhausted horse-haired brush

sweeps from left to right.

Wasted minutes slip

by suddenly.

They bring in the canine.

Several pieces of worn out sweaters are

set out as homework.

Stacks of small wooden

Brazilian dolls rest

on top to a frayed newspaper.

Splotches of calligraphy ink cover up

February’s headline.

The bedroom walls are still smooth and spotless.

Nothing has been

touched or even grazed.

Not even the linen is stained.

The great investigator gnaws on

the very end of his pen.

This illusive event procures

a multi-media fanfare.

Arrangements are considered.

Uniforms zoom by

promptly on cue. A shoebox

of Polaroid photographs

is carefully cradled.

They will be revised,

hole-punched,

and spread all over the graphers.

The front door clicks closed.

The house goes silent.

He sits on the edge of a quilted bed,

tugging at the corner

of a teddy bear’s brown ear.

He stares off into a

personal pocket of daydreams,

yet sees nothing

but her sun-freckled cheeks.

[ 3 ]

It is 11:23 now.

The sun is barely passing over the peak

of the buildings. I vigilantly

wipe down my office

windows with a foamy blue

solvent, lifting up smudges

that had over-stayed their welcome.

The parking lot is full.

Colorful steel glimmers from the

freeway rims.

The old white doors

seem to sigh as the wind knocks into them.

Then, I notice two men striding

over to the bin behind these doors.

The copper catch falls abruptly

and dangles down.

One of the men ashes

his cigarette on a red brick.

I stop wiping my window.

The thunder of bin-wheels echoes.

The men laugh about

something irrelevant.

I hold my breath.

They roll the crate further down the lot

until I can no longer see it.

The waste of the week

is imposed on someone else.

The white doors are open,

swaying back and forth.

The rusted hinges creak;

I can hear them clearly through

my pristine office windows.

The slamming of fingertips

on keyboards comforts me.

I fold the dirty yellow cloth and place it

on my desk. The blue

solvent splashes on my shoes.

My computer screen

blinks impatiently, upset

that I have gone on ignoring it so.

3 new e-mails furiously flash.

I close my blinds satisfied and go back to work.

[ 4 ]

Weeks have come and gone

like seasons. The holidays

were over looked this year.

In a busy office with navy blue suits

and intercom speakers.

Lost labeled folders get

trampled over by more recent

emergencies.

Somewhere else,

in a sterile house,

skinny cobwebs appear

underneath the bookshelves.

the television pushes fuzzy

pictures and noises

in front of his eyes,

yet he sees nothing

but her sun-freckled cheeks.

down the hall, beyond

the dark kitchen linoleum floors,

her door is closed shut.

It guards the Brazilian dolls, the quilted bed,

the calligraphy ink set,

and her snow-globe birthday gift.

Tiny pages of glitter

sleep soundly inside

the cramped-up underwater city.

What does it say

When we turn away

From the faces in need

From the eyes

Hungry

Behind barbed wire fences

For the freedom

That lies

Just beyond

What does it say

When we deny children

The basic rights

Of all human life

To live and learn

And grow

Unafraid

Coming to

One day

Nourish their own

What does it say

When we deny our people

The rights to think

And wonder

And puzzle out

The complexities of life

That our Founders

Guaranteed

Would never go unfulfilled

It says we live

In a world

Of hate

And fear

And values so abased

They can not

Must not

Be ours to keep

Reach out across the fence

The divide

The vast differences that

Together

Make us strong

Reach out and declare

For all to hear

That we will NOT

Be a part of that bitter world

And know that if you have only

Reached one soul

You have

Already made the world

A better

And more humane

Place for all

#nomorehate #nomoreTrump

'I am Wizard Criminee' the bespectacled boy bowed 'I'll be taking that Beetleroot...'

Estrima punched him in the face.

As if she’d let a man deter her! Her father and elder brothers, all were useless. And what was a “wizard” anyway?

‘No, you won’t. This is in my forest!’ She declared proudly ‘I am a witch!’

‘An itch? You need a balm?’

‘You dare call me weak!’ Estrima bellowed. That’s what everyone called her. ‘If you want my plant – Fight!’

‘You just broke my snout!’ he cried, coating his nose in yellow ointment. The swelling disappeared.

‘I am mortally afraid of you! But for my medicine...’ He sighed ‘How would you like to compete?’

Estrima squinted.

‘Faunaspeak?’ he proposed, lifting his hand. Commotion followed.

She gasped. Crows came flocking and surrounded them in every direction, cawing over their heads. What was that?

‘Too easy.’ She lied, covering her ears.

‘Spells, then?’ he started muttering something.

Estrima saw tiny drops of dew fly above their heads! They spread out in front of her, displaying her freckled face. A mirror!

She gaped at it, then squinted at Criminee.

He was good! Estrima was extremly annoyed. She felt the same, when her brothers boasted their magical achievements, ending with “But poor Estrima! She belongs to no class of magic!”

But she could listen to tiny whisperings hidden from the corner of everyone’s eyes. Spirits!

And she had decided to shut those men up!

They asked her ‘Which spectrum colour are you?’

‘Witch.’ She would answer. Then, this guy came!

‘Listen, let’s do it fast.’ He urged urgently ‘Lives depend on my medicine.’

She squinted. There was only one thing she could do.

‘Come!’ she pleaded, cupping her hands together.

A small spark twinkled in between her palms. She looked around her, spirits glittered everywhere, between trees, under the Beetleroot, in her tangled hair.

‘This is spirit talking!’ To her surprise, he exclaimed ‘I’ve never seen anyone do this before!’ Like a child, he clapped his hands. Removing his glasses, he came peering into her palms.

‘You are truly amazing!’ he grinned. No one had ever called her “amazing” before.

‘You are truly weird.’ she commented slowly.

‘Yes, that’s from where I got “Wizard”.’ He nodded, bowing politely ‘How unfortunate! I lost. You are too strong for me! Still I want this Beetleroot...’

She boxed his teeth this time. Wrombizongs! His modesty was too insulting!

‘Why are you bullying me?’ he rubbed his bleeding lip.

‘The Beetleroot. You can have it.’ Shrugging, she turned away.

‘Really? Th...’

‘I’m not helping you.’ she coughed. ‘But I hope you succeed. Your medicine will be amazing.’

‘Thanks.’ She heard him dig. ‘Anyway, Why would you think you are weak? My mother taught me everything and she is really strong.’

‘Is that so?’ Perhaps, the “Wizard” was not so bad.

Then it clicked.

‘Wait! That means I am not the first witch?’

He had disappeared.

‘Wrombizongs!’ She yelled at the woods ‘I hate men!’

To inquire and perceive

Ready, set, go

If you challenge my knowledge then I'll say

I don't know

To expect and recognize

The other side of the rainbow

Interrogate my heart and hear me say

I don't know

To request and distinguish

See my brain's glow

Dispute my beliefs and hear me say

I don't know

To invite and identify my mind

Full of straw like a scarecrow

Quiz me on facts and hear me say

I don't know

Demand my conscious comprehension

Yes or no?

Never doubt me or you'll hear me say

I don't know

suddenly i'm told i need god.

through the smoke and stains on my shirt

and the thoughts i scrawled on paper,

they know i'm too much for

humans to handle.

but i never wanted to talk to god.

i like to make the first move,

but he never seems interested.

maybe he sees through me:

i'm not interested either.

he's another boy i lead along to drop at the foot of my bed.

he doesn't agree with the ways of my world.

and

suddenly i know i need a god

but i don't think he cares.

i am too smart to talk to god.

i am too small to believe i could if i wanted.

“Since, in the long run, every planetary civilization will be endangered by impacts from space, every surviving civilization is obliged to become spacefaring--not because of exploratory or romantic zeal, but for the most practical reason imaginable: staying alive... If our long-term survival is at stake, we have a basic responsibility to our species to venture to other worlds.”

                         -Carl Sagan

Yes! I've been waiting so long to talk about this one! Mass Effect is the epic science fiction action role-playing third-person shooter game developed by BioWare, the genius developers behind Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Dragon Age: Origins, and EA (Electronic Arts), the company infamous for selling more DLC than actual gameplay, that was released back in 2007. Set in the year 2183, you play as Commander Shepherd, a decorated war hero, on a fantastic quest to stop a rogue agent from opening a portal that will give gateway to an ancient race known as the Reapers, whose goal is to eradicate all life and transform it into synthetic organisms. 

I have actually played a little of it in my first run through. I thought it looked good but unfortunately couldn't complete it, due to lacking the proper system at the time or I was more interested in other games. Yet I still wanted to play it just for the sake of experiencing what other gamers have said about it. Well, it's 2017. I bought both Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 off steam for $9, and I'm finally getting the chance to fully play them just before the latest entry in the franchise makes its debut. Now that I've finally played it all the way through the first game, what can I say about Mass Effect? Holy fuck, this is one helluva amazing game!

The graphics, especially from a game dating back in 2007, look amazing. I left like I was apart of this universe. The worlds, the ships, the locations, they all come to life. It also helps when the developers have constructed such a vast and extraordinary history behind this universe. I seriously got so sucked into the lore my first playthrough. Hell trying to explain the history and even the alien races (such as the turians, krogans, asari, and the geth) could take up its own post.

One of the other selling points of this game is its characters, and man does Mass Effect have some very memorable characters. Commander Shepard, Garrus, Wrex, Ashley Williams, Tali, L'iara, Joker, Saren, Captain Anderson, Admiral Hackett, just to name a few. It really helps when the characters are so diverse and complex; and the fact that they are voiced by talented actors helps too. Joker is voiced by Robot Chicken's Seth Green, Saren is voiced by veteran voice actor Fred Tatasciore, Captain Anderson is voiced by Goliath of Gargoyles himself Keith David, and Admiral Hackett is voiced by the sci/fi legend Lance Henriksen. 

Gameplay is an important mechanic for any game, and this one is top notch. Combat is pretty basic. You seen an enemy, you shoot it. You can command teammates to provide certain attacks and defenses, and you can duck behind cover to avoid enemy fire. There's also sequences that require you to hack into consoles to gain loot, and a wide open range to explore planets. I found the gameplay to be very enjoyable, but at the same time a little too challenge. You'll most often come across enemies that are too powerful and you'll die every single time. So my best advice is to handle some side quests first to give yourself more XP than take on the main quests to challenge the bigger enemies.

Dialogue and choices are pretty important too. You can say something that inspires another character or you could be a total dick to everybody you meet. More importantly, the game operates on what choices you make throughout. You can make the right choice, gaining paragon points, for settling situations in a more diplomatic fashion, or you can make the bad calls, gaining renegade points, that could greatly devastate the outcome. And let's not forget about saying the right words so you can get some space booty! Ooooohhhh yeeeeeaaaah!

My biggest take away from this game is that some sequences require you to operate a vehicle known as the Mako, and it is the most frustrating thing in the entire game. You can barely control the damn thing. No, I said turn right! Right dammit! Back up, back up! GRAAAH! The controls for this thing are worthless. My friend commented that he didn't have much issue with it, but he played the games on console. Try pressing down on the keyboard while moving the mouse around! COME ON, CLIMB THAT DAMN ROCK! YOU'RE STUCK!?!? GAH YOU FUCKING BUCKET OF FUCKING WORTHLESS SHIT!!! I HATE THE MAKO!!!!!

Mass Effect has set the bar of what video games should be. They should be about building worlds and developing intriguing stories and characters that you'll love over time. I am so happy that I've finally managed to play this game, and I can finally see why this franchise is often regarded as one of the best game series of all time. I can't wait to try out Andromeda! Setting your calibrations for the grading scale!

                             Paragon:                                      Renegade:

                            -The lore                                      -The fucking Mako

                            -Gorgeous graphics                      -Combat difficulty

                            -Great characters

                            -Great gameplay (mostly)

                            -Engaging story

                            -Dialogue and morality

More paragon points than renegade. Final Grade: A-

So that is my review of Mass Effect, one of the most gorgeous games ever made. A big shout out to my friend Parker Williams for it is his birthday! Have you played this game? What are your thoughts? Excited for Andromeda? Please be kind, leave a like and comment, and check back for more Harry Situation Reviews!

Serving a purpose, the center of it all.

Days were of glory, art & power.

The heart of the city, the hub of life and love.

Now I am just the old king,

With a fading crown, broken smile,

serving the few hapless, who share with me my misery.

Its not the sympathy that I seek,

I know I am a mascot of a culture long lost and dead.

I stand tall as long as I can,

Doing what I am destined to.

Once I served the rich and the powerful.

Now I serve the poor and homeless.

Think of it, I guess, these are my real glorious days.

Writing is what I do

and what I do is write,

no matter the reason;

guess I'm '$istah Hi~ProsE'

for a reason.

Any genre, any time,

what I love to do is rhyme.

Or not rhyme,

just let the words flow.

I write and I write

'til I can write no more,

my mind no longer an open door.

Until tomorrow.

V1

Tucked away, hidden, out of sight,

it's as if I have the blight;

like a monster of the night,

not let into the light.

To shadow is my calling,

the caboose, I am hauling;

others get to go all-in,

they lead while I fall-in.

Chorus

Always in the background,

that is where I am found;

never the frontsman,

more like the Bradys' Jan.

V2

I'm just a bit player,

don't get to be the slayer;

perhaps I lack the flair

and I haven't a prayer

of getting the headline;

nothing to be known as mine,

no feast on which to dine;

I guess the stars just aren't aligned.

Chorus

V3

Always given the back seat,

no matter how long the fleet;

if places were food, like meat,

I'd get leftovers, such a treat!

No thanks to those doggy scraps

and the Grand Canyon-like gap;

since I can't be in Luxury's lap,

let's just go ahead and call this a wrap.

Chorus (x2)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*This' finished, but I have no intention of doing anything with it; it was one of those songs I wrote/started as therapy, written when I was out-of-sorts about never leading a band song and always being relegated to just background vocals.

HOOK

I'm floating on Cloud Nine,

I want it all the time.

There's nothing quite like it,

so hell no, I won't quit.

V1

A friend introduced me to Cloud Nine, with his hookah

and I was hooked from the very first hit I took(uh).

So smooth, no different than breathing air with that flavor,

a feeling that I fully relished and savored,

much different than ciggies, with which I labored

to have a good pull. From here on out, I won't waver

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*An unfinished song that I'm just not feeling anymore