Skip to main content

Emotion 365: The desert Dazed, the Oasis Insecurity

Mirages blind in the sweltering desert Dazed. In the distance, a heated pool. The denizens saunter in flowing robes with nakedness underneath. They live under wraps in parachute cities. They carry the light fabric of home on their backs. Elephants and camels live here. They find cool water, carry it, and turn it into fountains. They eat mangoes, prickly pears, and other soft fruits with delicate bites. No one here is ever very hungry. It’s too hot. Three burning suns watch over Dazed: red, orange, and yellow. Visitors come for the fascinating sunsets which play across the horizon and reflect in distant pools.

“It’s best at dusk when it is neither too hot nor too cold and in the early morning when the night stars shimmer high and clear,” Miss Emeline Traveler says.

The oasis-side city Insecurity fades in and out. Sometimes there and other times not. The sturdy sandcastles on Insecurity withstand the rains, which almost never fall, except for the occasional deluge which refills the giant pool. Big leaved palm trees hang over the water shading the shores of it.

Everyone needs this place, but it only sometimes appears. It yearns for trade and commerce.

"The most refreshing oranges grow in Insecurity," says Miss Doe Friend. "And I recall the scent of orange blossoms."

"But the delightful fruit cannot be relied upon," says the Guide. "When and where it will appear and how long it will stay?"

"The elephantine Oasis Seers claim to know the oasis' secrets," says Miss Emeline. "But the camels seem more trustworthy and prefer not to speak."

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Thoughts on "Depression Hates a Moving Target": What I Mean by Relatable

Relatable — I used this word in my reviews of Depression Hates a Moving Target   by Nita Sweeney on Goodreads and Amazon . It's a nice word, but overused of late. So, it feels lazy. What do I mean? I connected with this book. It made me reflect more on my own first marathon experience. It made me want to put on my running shoes and head out the door again. In fact, I did. Now, typically, my mental health doesn't hinder my ability to do the stuff I want to do and my body flies under the radar. Still, I also felt goofy stepping out in my running gear a lot of the time. I didn't see myself as a "runner" or an athlete. And, I had no idea if I could run 13 miles let alone 26.2 when I started. More to the point, could I stay moving for the 4+ hours straight it would take to complete the marathon? To do the training mileage, I knew I'd have to run through streets and trails on my own and that made me nervous, too. Waves of grief wash us to strange shores. Whe...

What is Solarpunk? Good question, great answers from our community

What is solarpunk? My fellow Glass and Gardens: Solarpunk Summers authors Commando Jugendstil and Tales from The EV Studio put together this video for the Turin International Book Fair . It features editors and authors from the solarpunk community sharing their thoughts. Together we're imagining optimistic futures based on renewable energy. My soundbite was: "Solarpunk futures are — green spaces with clean water that are pedestrian, collective, feminist, creative communities. And they include non-human animals. " Mary "solarpunk" Shelley cat did a great job (at 6:15) helping from her rather ridiculous cat tree which she absolutely loves. And what better time to wear this solar-colored "Veganism is Feminism" tee from The Herbivore Clothing Company . Seriously. I'm holding a stack of solarpunk books: Glass and Gardens: Solarpunk Summers  edited by Sarena Ulibarri which includes my story "Watch Out, Red Crusher!".  Wings of R...

Springy Story Review: "Gestella" by Susan Palwick

Why it springs to mind: A hauntingly beautiful horror story about what happens when a woman relinquishes her power. A unique werewolf story with commentary on aging. Where read: First in Sisters of the Revolution: A Feminist Speculative Fiction Anthology  ( 2015, PM Press edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer) and then in Palwick's collection The Fate of Mice ( 2007, Tachyon Publications ) — both outstanding! These presses won't steer you wrong. Summary: A young woman werewolf allows herself to be dominated by a lover who takes control of her fate. Memorable: The powerful ending! The word: sportfuck. A new take on lycanthropy. Written in second person — you. Quote:  "You know that your growing wisdom is the benefit of aging, the compensation for your wrinkles and your fading—although fading slowly as yet—beauty. You also know that Jonathan didn't marry you for wisdom."  Personal connection: Some of my favorite stories seem to be the ones that address t...