Beat Up On Bryan

Corner of Infinity and Fate
Corner of Infinity and Fate

On the corner of Infinity and Fate, there is a coffee shop. The man selling Mocha Lattes is in control. He keeps the boss happy by keeping the shop in business. He keeps the customers happy by making great coffee, and coffee-based drinks.

Don't ask much of the coffee maker- from now on called Joe. He knows what lies at the end of Fate Street and at the end of Infinity Street. He will guide you down the right one when the time comes. He's been doing this for years. And don't question him either.

Take the time you can to enjoy good coffee. Come back often- at the least the conversation is mildly entertaining.

I'm only telling you this because Joe delivered my double-espresso along with a hand-written note. It said, "Go north along Fate Street for a couple of blocks. There you will find a girl with a message for you. The message is mostly in her eyes."

Today is the last I will ever see this old shop. I'm going to see a girl. I think she is the one.

Sleep Is My Enemy

Sleep is my enemy.

She stalks me; mauls me in dark, quiet rooms; plays head games with me. She is my enemy.

Sometimes she's so close that I might take a stab at her with this insomniac knife, but she always wins the chance to dance away.

I am afraid of her illusion. I actually wish she would come face to ugly face with me, smile, then swallow my weary body whole. I might enjoy the pain she could inflict. Sensual and welcome. Encouraged, but forbidden. I fear, therefore she wins.

She's here now, right next to these trembling words. She's giving an extra push on the pen. Madness. She tells a horrific joke- I can sleep if I want to- and snickers. She teases the flame of my candle, fixating my eyes. Part of her illusion.

I am attracted by her beauty, enigmatic about her offer, and exhausted in its purchase. So beautiful from afar, but up close, I shake and grow pale. She frightens me and keeps me in suspense. I love her.

But keep your friends close and your enemies closer. And sleep is my enemy.

Deep in the arms of Morpheus...

I read Sleep is my Enemy first (just because i scrolled up the page not down) and i really appreciate it. You've taken something quite powerful and deep, but you've written it as prose (which makes far more sense) and you've used your own sense - so it sounds Wow without being trite or forced. I love the phrase "insomniac knife". There are some really good images in it.

I'm afraid i don't like the last line so much as it doesn't really flow with everything else that you've written

Not so fond of Corner of Infinity and Fate - it doesn't really make me pause for thought tbh... i didn't find anything to chew on until the last line

Hey thanks for the comments. I mostly have a lot of bits and pieces lying about. These little one-pagers I write are just so I can practice my imagery and style. I'm not sure I am good at either, but anything you can relate helps. Thanks.

What appears next is a piece I wrote in the same five minutes as Sleep Is My Enemy, both written just over 3 years ago now.

Death Is My Enemy (originally titled "No One Knows I'm 98")

Death is my enemy.

He hates me with a passion. I loathe him in return. We kick at each other shins. We stare each other down until one of us blinks. In between- in between the bouts of fatigue, the razor blades- we lie to each other. I am almost within his grasp. I am his project. He is my goal.

He has been my goal for I don't know how long. My mind won't tell me. I once cut off my pinky to count the rings, but alas, I am not a tree. Maybe I'm twenty-five, maybe one thousand twenty-five. There's so much to remember, but I forget to share with myself.

We'd spend entire evenings holding each other's shoulders, walking in circles around my barren room. Then he'd leave, and I'd feel empty all over again. Teased and let go. Reliving a familiar pain. I wish I could live his namesake.

He sometimes punches my chest. Sometimes squeezes my heart. Fades my memory. He is invisible to me in return. I yearn for him, because he runs from me so.

He never liked me. He hates me with a passion. He wishes bad things for me. If only I could give in. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. And Death is my enemy.