Hope

Only a man uniquely trained in the mental martial arts can safely “take on himself.”

Have you heard the tales about the hotter regions of that constellation just over there, where it is said that, “the swelling never goes down”?

In a place where they never discuss hope, there may be some.

Over in this other reality
just before everything
came together
it all came apart.

The places in most universes where the creatures still want to make sacrifices to the gods are the same places where the gods will, apparently, take ‘em and never say, “Thank you.”

J.