Skip to main content

Emotions 365: The Land of Post-Apocalyptic, the End Times Caves

Hallowed shells of buildings dot fallow Post-Apocalyptic. The sky rains ash and acid. Lightening jolts scar the land. The red orb sun offers jaundiced radioactive light. The dying denizens wear rags covered in acidic dust. “It used to be different,” they say telling stories of what once was as they wander searching for dry food. 

Angry animals lunge at each other. Birds screech. Fish hide at the bottom of mud pools. Everyone shivers in the night. 

“Take shelter if you can find it in the underground caves,” the Guide advises. “The denizens are not as dangerous as they appear. They are too weary to fight."

Visitors journey to the capitol End Times, a place of prophecies. In the End Times caves, the nomads find fresh water dripping off the walls. They eat algae and phosphorescent mushrooms. 

“No one will live to see much more,” the prophet says. “This is how the world finally comes to an end.”

Wanderers come to End Times palms up asking for readings. 

“You are hoping to be told something more than what you already know,” the prophet says. “But there’s only doom, nothing to hope for.” 

“Don’t visit,” advises Miss Emeline Traveler. “No parties. No music. No dancing. No fine foods. No next generation. There is nothing left. It is too late. Only the forces of desolation and destruction remain.”

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...