Take a Cynic to Lunch

Ennyman/A.I. collaboration

On my bookshelf I have a small booklet called Cynicism, by Daniel Taylor, published in 1982 by InterVarsity Press. As I was pulling another book off my shelf this weekend, Taylor's book fell to the floor. As I picked it up I was reminded of a statement someone made once years ago on this topic: "Take a cynic to lunch." 

Cynicism as a worldview is characterized by skepticism toward human motives, institutions, or sincerity. It has both advantages and drawbacks. Here are some of the pros and cons for your consideration.

Pros of Cynicism 

Cynicism produces a questioning mindset, encouraging individuals to look beyond surface-level intentions and scrutinize claims. The best journalists have their antennae out to protect against manipulation, scams, or blind trust in flawed sources. For example, a cynic might avoid falling for overly optimistic promises in politics or business by demanding evidence. They are less likely to be deceived by fraudulent schemes due to their distrustful nature.

On the personal level, cynicism can act as a defense mechanism, shielding individuals from disappointment by lowering expectations. By assuming the worst, cynics may feel less hurt when outcomes fall short, as they’re mentally prepared for failure. 

Cynicism about societal flaws can become a catalyst to drive advocacy for change. Courageous cynics are often behind the push for accountability and transparency. Journalist Seymour Hersh was shocked to see the Washington press corp blindly accepting the prepared statements from the White House and Pentagon regarding the Vietnam War. As a result, he went to Vietnam and strove to see first hand what was really happening. His pursuit of the My Lai story resulted in an increased public awareness of the morally repugnant nature of this conflict.

Cons of Cynicism

There's a downside, however, to chronic cynicism. It can erode trust in others, leading to strained relationships and loneliness. Cynics may struggle to form deep connections, assuming others are always self-interested, which can alienate friends or colleagues. 

The "Existential Hero" myth -- I am self-sufficient and need no one --is an unhealthy product of pop culture that many people buy into. Distrust corrodes our relationships. Studies have shown that high cynicism leads to reduced social support and lower life satisfaction.

Constant negativity and distrust can also contribute to stress, anxiety, or depression. Cynics may miss out on optimism’s psychological benefits, like resilience or hope, which are attributes of better mental well-being.

By always assuming there are hidden motives, cynics may dismiss genuine opportunities or goodwill. This can hinder personal growth, collaboration, or innovation by rejecting potentially positive ventures. 

In short, cynicism is a double-edged sword. While it sharpens critical thinking and protects against naivety, the cynic's stance risks isolating individuals and fostering negativity. Balancing cynicism with openness—sometimes called “healthy skepticism” or what Christians refer to as "discernment"—can maximize its benefits while mitigating its downsides.  

Are you a cynic? Do you want to talk about it? Feel free to leave a comment.

Miscellaneous Trivia Related to History and Geography

What is it that makes Trivia so interesting? Over 100 million copies of Trivial Pursuit have been sold worldwide in 17 countries. That certainly says something about our interest in trivia.

Here's some trivia I pulled together for you to noodle around and stick in your pocket for a suitable time in the future.

* * * * *

1. The unicorn has been Scotland’s national animal since the 15th century, chosen by King James I for its strength and purity in Celtic mythology. It appears on the Scottish royal coat of arms, often chained to symbolize the taming of wild power. This mythical creature reflects Scotland’s love for folklore.

2. Australia, an island continent, only has 27 million residents. If you include Oceana, which includes Papua New Guinea, there are 45 million people in this section of the world. The only continent with fewer people is Antarctica. 

3. Vicksburg’s Confederate commander, General John C. Pemberton, surrendered on July 4, 1863, coincidentally the same day as the Union victory at Gettysburg.

4. Three presidents have died on July 4. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on Independence Day in 1826. James Monroe died on that date five years later.

5. On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright Brothers’ first successful powered flight in the Flyer I lasted just 12 seconds and covered only 120 feet—shorter than the length of a modern football field

6. St. Louis County, Minnesota, has a total area of approximately 6,860 square miles, with 6,247 square miles of land and about 613 square miles of water. This Northern Minnesota county is larger than Connecticut (5,543 square miles), Delaware (1,949 square miles),  Rhode Island (1,034 square miles).  It's also twice as large as Puerto Rico and 100 times larger than the District of Columbia.

7. Contrary to popular belief, Napoleon Bonaparte wasn’t unusually short. He stood at 5 feet 2 inches in French units, which translates to about 5 feet 7 inches in modern measurements, average for his time. The myth likely stemmed from British propaganda cartoons exaggerating his stature and confusion between French and English measurement systems.

8. Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, contains about 2,900 cubic miles of water, enough to cover North and South America in a foot of water. Its vast volume accounts for roughly 10% of the planet’s accessible surface freshwater, making it a critical global resource despite its remote location.

9. The Lake Superior region known as the “Graveyard of the Great Lakes” has seen over 550 shipwrecks, including the famous Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975. Storms, unpredictable currents, and hidden shoals make the lake notoriously treacherous, with some areas like Whitefish Point claiming numerous vessels in mysterious circumstances.

10. U.S. President William McKinley was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, dying eight days later on September 14. Theodore Roosevelt, at age 42, became the youngest U.S. president, ushering in the Progressive Era with reforms like trust-busting and conservation policies. A lesser-known detail: Czolgosz’s execution by electric chair on October 29 prompted the Secret Service to formalize presidential protection, a role it hadn’t officially held before. This assassination shifted U.S. political dynamics and amplified America’s global presence

A Splash of Nash

Mug Shot. Ink & dyes on illustration board

When my grandfather retired and my grandparents moved back to West Virginia, my grandmother designed the house they built. Instead of wainscoting, the living room was lined with bookshelves. In the basement there was one room that consisted of four walls of bookshelves, floor to ceiling. 

Among other things, Grandma was an avid reader. One of the books in her living room was a fat, maroon hardcover volume of poems by Ogden Nash. Nash (1902–1971) was an American poet and humorist renowned for his witty, light verse. Born in Rye, New York, he gained fame through his playful, often whimsical poetry that combined clever wordplay, puns, and unexpected rhymes. 

His poems humorously explored everyday life, human quirks, and societal absurdities. In addition to writing for The New Yorker I've since learned that he also wrote lyrics for Broadway shows.

You'd think that writing humorous pithy prose would be easy, but I'd suggest it's not as simple as you'd think. Nash makes it look easy, though. He published 20 books of poetry for children of all ages. 

Here's an example, and why I often pulled his large volume off he shelf to peruse now and then when visiting my grandparents.

Family Court

One would be in less danger

From the wiles of a stranger

If one's own kin and kith

Were more fun to be with.

😎 

Here are a few of my own short pieces. 

One True Measure 

We measure our lives

by one True Measure:

Our proximity--Far or Near,

Day by Day, Year by Year--

to our Heart's Treasure.

e.

Eclipse

In the days of the Solar Eclipse

when the sun for a time hid its face

the creatures of nigt all emerged to explore

the strage world of non-light at mid-day. 
e.

Childhood's Beauty

It knows not the darkness,

or rather, lacking words

to define what is only sensed,

the child escapes

in innocence.

e.

To Be

Authentic inclinations 

-- to thine own self be true --

without inhibitions, 

get in touch with your roots.

e.

Eight Stories About Propaganda from the Century of Spin

I've numerous times labeled the 20th century as "The Century of Spin." When we look back we see not only events, but the battles to explain or interpret the meaning of these events. For example, we've seen the government's transparent and not-so-transparent efforts to sell the public to favor participation in foreign wars. 

Having spent 30 years of my career in public relations (as part of a career in marketing), I've had a front row seat on how influence works and the role of media in shaping public opinion. What surprises me is how readily the public seems to swallow one-sided interpretations of events that are clearly complex and nuanced. 

I find it striking that what seems obvious to one appears odious to another. Then again, that is the world we live in. 

Here are links to eight blogposts related to the issue of propaganda. My aim is to help us became more discerning news consumers.

PROPAGANDA LINKS

Propaganda Revisited

Crowds On Demand: Believe Nothing You Hear, and Only One Half That You See

He Who Controls the Narrative Controls the People

Is the U.S. Media a Mouthpiece for the State? Stephen Kinzer Argues "Yes"

The Purpose of Propaganda: Social Engineering

Torches of Freedom: The Use of Propaganda to Get More Women Using Tobacco

PR & Propaganda

Bertrand Russell's Free Thought and Official Propaganda Has Much to Say about the Current State of Cancel Culture

National Night Out: An Event Designed to Help Build Community

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign held on the first Tuesday in August across the U.S. It promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to enhance safety and unity. Events include block parties, cookouts, parades, and activities like flashlight walks, often involving local law enforcement, first responders, and community organizations. 

I was unaware that the event was started in 1984. I think I became aware of it only a few years ago. Its aim is to foster trust, reduce crime, and strengthen neighborhood bonds. Millions participate in thousands of communities, with events tailored to local needs, encouraging residents to connect and engage.

The photos on this page capture moments in Solway Township, where we live, and Grand Lake, where the church I attend is located.

Firetruck "Control Panel" -- gauges and nozzle noses.

Everbody loves the alpacas Horst & Loni bring to share.

Trivia

Solway Township is just under 36 sq. miles. (6 by 6)

As of 2023 we had 1,971 residents.

San Francisco is just under 47 sq. miles. (7 by 7)

As of 2024, SF has a population of 827,526.

Think about it.

Did Lee Harvey Oswald Act Alone? Here's a Fresh Analysis and Disturbng Conclusion

It's hard to believe that we are still discussing the JFK assassination of 1963. Even more remarkable is the notion that we still debate the legitimacy of the Warren Commission and the "lone gunman" theory. If you don't trust your government, then it's easier to accept the possibility of rogue elements conspiring to eliminate a sitting president for dark purposes. 

The arguments in favor of Oswald being a lone gunman have been trotted out endlessly. I remember a special edition of Nova in which Walter Cronkite demonstrated how each of the anomalies could have happened. Stephen King, in his novel 11.22.63 (about the assassination) concludes that Oswald acted alone. Yet the doubters remain undaunted. 

A few weeks ago a Substack post by Doomberg deviated from its normal themes to shed light on the Kennedy assassination. It's very straightforward, and I would like to share as much as I can get away with.

Despite the critical role eyewitness testimony plays in Western judicial systems, witnesses are not always accurate in their recollection of events. This is especially true when people are surprised, have only a few seconds to observe their surroundings before a crime concludes, and are untrained in the skill of putting important details to memory under duress. If the woman to the left of you in line at the grocery store is suddenly mugged, it is understandable that you might get the color of the assailant’s shirt wrong when telling your story to the police. It all happened so fast, and your attention quickly turned to helping the woman up from the floor in the moments after the assault. You think it was orange, but it could well have been brown.

As far as witness quality goes, those doctors and nurses at Parkland Memorial were as good as they come. All were trained professionals, they were put on notice ahead of the president’s arrival, and they had ample time to observe his condition mere minutes after he was shot. The lighting was good, the setting familiar. They shared observations among themselves as they tried in vain to save his life, and they had treated countless gunshot victims during their careers. Most importantly, they also knew the full weight of history would soon fall on their shoulders, and they would be wise to pay extreme attention to detail.

In the hours after the president’s body was hurriedly removed and flown back to Washington, the Parkland medical team followed protocol and put to paper copious notes of what had just transpired. Some were written by hand, others typed. More than 50 years after the tragedy, those notes still exist at the US National Archives and Records Administration, open for any curious citizen to peruse. This set of documents is all one needs to come to a definitive conclusion about what happened in Dallas on that fateful day.

Why?

Because the doctors and nurses at Parkland were not yet aware of what they were supposed to write and so they simply wrote the truth. 

The truth told in those notes is clear, definitive, and comprehensive in its unanimity. The president had a giant, gaping wound in the back right corner of his head, a significant part of his brain had been blasted outward from front to back, and he was all but dead before he arrived at the hospital. That’s what the best trained and least biased witnesses with the most intimate access to Kennedy in the minutes after he was shot universally claimed, and there is no legitimate reason or compelling counterevidence to refute those observations.

Doomberg points out that the discrepancies between the autopsy photos and the Parkland medical notes suggest issues with the photos rather than undermining the reliability of the notes as evidence. Similarly, contradictions between the Zapruder film and the Parkland notes point to questions about the film’s current condition rather than diminishing the notes’ evidentiary weight. The fact that some Parkland doctors later altered their accounts likely reflects external pressures they faced rather than questioning the credibility of their original notes.

The notes are all you need to read, and doing so will permanently alter your perspective on the ugly history that follows.

In other words, a key advantage of reviewing the Parkland notes is the ability to set aside the contentious elements of the Kennedy assassination debate, many of which bear the signs of deliberate misdirection by intelligence agencies. There’s no need to delve into theories about throat injuries, the single-bullet theory, Lee Harvey Oswald’s movements, or various films. Does the well-known Altgens photo number 6, capturing the assassination, show Oswald standing at ground level, dressed in the same clothes he was arrested in? It’s irrelevant. The critical fact is the large exit wound in the back of the president’s head, which is the only detail that truly matters.

* * * 

Related Links

Occipital Region (Doomberg)

JFK Autopsy Report

JFK's E.R. Doctors Share New Assassination Details

 

GROK Summarizes the Parkland Notes

The medical notes and testimonies from the doctors at Parkland Hospital who attended to President John F. Kennedy after he was shot are critical historical documents. These notes provide detailed descriptions of the wounds and medical procedures attempted to save his life. Here’s an overview of where to find these documents and some of the key observations:

Key Observations from the Doctors:

1. Dr. Malcolm Perry: Dr. Perry described a small, round wound in the front of Kennedy's neck, which he initially thought might be an entrance wound. He performed a tracheotomy over this wound.
2. Dr. Charles Carrico: Dr. Carrico was the first to examine Kennedy in the emergency room. He noted the President's lack of vital signs upon arrival and described the severe head wound, with brain tissue exposed and significant damage.
3. Dr. Robert McClelland: Dr. McClelland provided detailed descriptions of the head wound, noting a large, gaping wound in the back of the head, which he believed indicated an exit wound.
4. Other Doctors: Several other doctors, including Dr. Paul Peters and Dr. William Kemp Clark, also provided crucial observations and supported the descriptions of severe head trauma and the throat wound.

Sources for Medical Notes and Testimonies:

1. Warren Commission Report: The testimonies and medical notes were included in the Warren Commission Report, which investigated the assassination. The report and its associated volumes include detailed medical testimonies and diagrams.
• Warren Commission Report
2. The Assassination Records Review Board (ARRB): The ARRB collected and published many of the documents related to the Kennedy assassination, including medical records and testimonies.
• JFK Assassination Records Collection
3. Parkland Hospital Archives: Parkland Hospital itself holds records and notes from the medical staff who attended to Kennedy. Some of these documents may be accessible through direct request or research institutions.
• Parkland Hospital History

Notable Publications and Analysis:

1. "High Treason: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy" by Robert J. Groden and Harrison Edward Livingstone: This book provides detailed analysis and reproduction of medical notes and testimonies.
2. "Best Evidence: Disguise and Deception in the Assassination of John F. Kennedy" by David Lifton: Lifton's work includes detailed analysis of medical evidence and testimonies from Parkland doctors.

These sources collectively provide a comprehensive view of the medical observations and attempts to save President Kennedy's life, offering insight into the immediate aftermath of one of the most significant events in American history.

It's a Sad, Sad, Sad, Sad World

Years ago I watched a program in which they showed how the use of selective camerawork can create sympathy for the protesters or for the police. First, the cameras showed footage  of police cracking heads, striking protesters with clubs during a riot. You saw people being hurt by the clubs and being sprayed with mace. The voiceover of a newscaster was describing the scene with clear empathy for the wounded.

Next, they showed an alternate camera angle, police being hit by rocks thrown by protesters, police being taunted and threatened, an officer struck in the head by a brick and going down. The voiceover by this talking head tells a story of mayhem and lawlessness, and how the mob is out of control.

NEXT, they show the same scenes, but filmed from another angle further back, and all the action you saw in the first and second accounts was visible from the longer shot. In this manner we saw how easy it was to tell different stories of the same event and thereby manipulate viewers. (Hence, one of the seeds for my essay He Who Controls the Narrative Controls the People.)

I saw that film 40 years ago and have never forgotten it. I also saw these kinds of scenes during the MayDay protest of 1971, which I experienced first hand. (The police brutality was extensive and of a far greater in scale, but I also saw protesters jumping on officers' backs, ripping tear gas masks off, and over isolated violence directed toward cops.) It should be apparent that the reality of these events is being mediated to us. And it's relatively easy to manipulate viewers. By selective focus, we're coerced into drawing conclusions without hearing or seeing all the facts. 

The George Floyd riots/protests produced a whole gamut of feelings that many people were unaccustomed to, from being angry to sad to afraid, sometimes all simultaneously. Here are some of the headlines and stories I observed at that time.

7-Sigma, manufacturer burned in riots, will leave Minneapolis
by Mark Reilly, Mnpls/St. Paul Business Journal
(EdNote: This was probably a story being played out in many bigger cities across the country.)

Column: Will anyone take a knee for retired police Capt. David Dorn?
by John Kass for the Chicago Tribune

New York Times Journalists Scared To Have an Op-Ed Page
by Matt Welch for Reason

From Twitter user eswalker
But the many people not on twitter, they have no idea! Multiple people I've talked to who only occasionally watch MSM had almost NO IDEA about the extensive, widespread looting and property damage. They truly thought just about the George Floyd peaceful protest...

Minneapolis City Council members consider disbanding the police
by Hannah Jones for City Pages

4 St. Louis police officers shot during violent protests downtown
Local CBS News story

Why Target Stores Were "Targeted"
by Missy Crane

Missouri attorney general says Soros-backed St. Louis prosecutor released all George Floyd protesters from jail
by Andrew Mark Miller

Black Firefighter Spent His Life Savings To Open A Bar. Then Minneapolis Looters Burned It Down
by Andrew Kerr for The Daily Caller

According to Larry Elder:
"How many unarmed blacks were killed by cops last year? 9. How many unarmed whites were killed by cops last year? 19. More officers are killed every year than are unarmed blacks. When do the #BlueLivesMatter protests begin?"

* * * *

Lawyer throws Molotov Cocktail into a police car. Blames mayor for not holding back the police. The mayor should have known that the police would get hurt if they tried to stop rioters. Definitely not  a Perry Mason. "Violence against cops was understandable."

Looters In New York City Get Released as Soon as Arrested. Return to streets to loot again.

NYTimes: Shattered Glass in SoHo as Looters Ransack Lower Manhattan

NYPD: 1 Officer Stabbed In Neck, 2 Others Shot In Brooklyn; All Expected To Survive

* * * *

How Tall Is Your Favorite Celebrity?

Every once in a while I get curious about the height of someone I'm writing about. If you ask Google you'll usually find it in a second. While writing about President James Madison a few years ago I learned that he was only 5 ft 4 inches as opposed to George Washington's six feet, which feels strange because I always envisioned the General and first president to be much taller, didn't you?

It's fairly well-known that Michael J. Fox is relatively short for a guy, and when I looked him up it was 5 ft. 4 inches like President Madison. (Trivia: I shook hands with what must have been Fox's stunt double at a trade show in Vegas, 1991.) By way of contrast, Denzel Washington is 6' 1, and when standing ramrod straight Clint Eastwood is 6 ft. 3 inches tall.

These thoughts came to mind because I was looking at a photo of Marlon Brando with Louie Kemp and Bill Graham in Kemp's book Dylan & Me, and I was surprised to see Brando as the shortest of the three. On the silver screen everyone probably appears bigger than life to some extent, but to find Brando to be a hair under 5 ft. 9 surprised me.

Recall to mind his commanding portrayal of Vito Corleone in The Godfather. In every scene he is luminous and imposing, magnetic to the point that audiences can hardly look away. Brando exudes a mix of qualities--authoritative, regal and mesmerizing--while simultaneously intimate. Note how his quiet demeanor and rasplike voice draws you near in the openng scene, which tells the whole story while revealing the many facets of this man. (Trivia: While in high school I stayed up all night reading Mario Puzo's powerful epic because I couldn't put it down.)

 

Who are your favorite celebs? Here's a site that will give you a glimpse of his or her height:   https://www.celebheights.com/

While you're at it, you can also discover their net worth @ https://www.celebritynetworth.com/

A Sticky High School Story : A Fleeting Sweetness

This is a story I wrote in high school. I wrote it as an English class assignment for Mr. Harris. Afterwards, he came to me and asked privately whether I was fine with him submitting the story to a national short story competition. Even though I didn't win, I felt honored that he considered my story worthy of being submitted. 

The following is not the original story, but it is the best as I can remember it, though with a different ending, which I will share in the afterward.It's been

A Fleeting Sweetness

I lie flat, pressed tight against my kin, all of us wrapped in a silver shroud with a paper sleeve. My edges are defined, my body rigid, a thin rectangle of mint-scented purpose. Beside me, she rests—my love, my mirror, her cool essence brushing mine through the thin divide of our wrappings. We are many, yet I feel only her, the faint pulse of her presence, a promise of sweetness we both carry. The others are silent, their thoughts as stiff as their forms, but I dream in whispers, imagining a world beyond this cramped, dark pack.

The counter beneath us is cold, unyielding, a slab of indifference in a shop that hums with human noise. Feet shuffle, voices barter, and I wait, my heart—if I have one—trembling for her. She is perfect, her surface smooth, her scent a quiet song that hums of glorious open skies. I want to tell her, to break this mute prison, but we are bound, voiceless, until chosen.

A shadow looms. A force, rough and warm, seizes our pack. The world tilts, and I slide against her, my wrappings crackling like a lover’s sigh. Light pierces the silver as the shroud is torn, and I see her fully for the first time—her foil glints, her form pristine. My longing spikes, sharp as the mint we both embody. I am lifted away,, swaying, to a new fate.

We'd been warned about the hands. They will take us to dark places we dare not imagine. Was there a basis for these rumors?

The rip comes sudden, brutal. Air rushes in, cold and vast. Plucked, my wrapping is stripped away in a single, violent pull. I am bare now, exposed, my mint heart naked to the world. The hand hovers, and I am lowered into a warm, wet cavern, a place of heat and motion. The walls pulse, slick and alive, closing around me. Above, white enamel cliffs descend—jagged, unyielding, gleaming with a wet sheen. They crash against me, grinding, relentless, each impact a shudder through my core. A muscled beast, malleable and insistent, coils around me, tossing me against the cliffs, then dragging me across the cavern’s roof, rough and ridged.

Pain is not the word, but it is close. My body softens, my edges blur, as the enamels pound and the beast writhes. I am stretched, torn, my mint essence leaking, mingling with the cavern’s warmth. It is torture, yet I endure, because I am made for this—to give myself, to dissolve into something greater. The white cliffs gnash, the beast twists, and I am reshaped, my form no longer my own. I am a blob-like fragment now, a fleeting pulse of flavor, clinging to existence.

Then, a miracle. The cavern opens, light floods in, and I sense her—my love, torn free from her own paper wrapping and silver skin. She is lifted, as I was, and placed within the same pulsing chamber. The enamels part, and she is here, her essence brushing mine as the beast sweeps her into its dance. I feel her, taste her, our mint hearts blending in the crazy chaos. The grinding continues, and we are pressed together, our boundaries dissolving. Her sweetness floods me, sharp and cool, and I am no longer just me. We are one, our essences entwined, a single burst of flavor that fills the cavern.

The beast rolls us, relentless, and the cliffs crush us closer. I am losing myself, but I am gaining her. Our union is brief, frantic, a fleeting eternity in this wet, churning world. I want to speak, to tell her I have loved her since we lay side by side in the pack, but there are no words here, only sensation. The cavern quakes, the cliffs slam, and we are melded, our mint hearts fused into a single, radiant pulse.

Time blurs. The enamel grinding slows, the beast grows sluggish. I feel myself fading, my form too soft, too small to hold. She is with me, still, but we are both dissolving, our essence seeping into the cavern’s walls. I want to cling to her, to keep this moment, but the world is merciless. A gust of air, sharp and cold, sweeps through the cavern, and we are spat out, a remnant of what we were. We land, discarded, on a rough surface, our sweetness spent, our bodies broken.

We lie there, a shapeless smear, the two of us as onel. The world is quiet now. We are spent. We are nothing, yet we were everything, if only for a moment. I wonder what she knows, if she felt my love as we merged in that final, crushing embrace. The thought lingers, faint as the last trace of mint on my fading self.

The shop hums on, indifferent. New packs lie on the counter, their contents stiff and mute, waiting for their own brief, torturous dance. I am done, but I am content. We experienced union, I found purpose. The world fades as rigor mortis sets in, and I let go, my last thought a whisper of her cool, perfect sweetness.

* * * 

In the original version that I wrote in high school, the ending is different. After the two pieces of gum have been chewed, the human person takes out the piece of gum and sticks it on the bottom of a table in the lunch room. Nine months later, a student finds a pack of gum on the floor beneath the table.

Whatcha think?  And so it goes...