chapter 1
Stories by Xisco Ponce Jr.
NATURE - DESCRIPTION
"Wind be my guide, without wings I will fly."
On an island far away from any bright lights of bulbs and switches exists a landscape untouched by man. It is a place where dreams are alive in the silent thoughts of the plant kingdom as the rhythm and flow of the green and yellow and blue and orange sinewy and flaccid stems move with the wind passing through their gentle bodies. It is here where one can reach the end of a rainbow and lay within the bed of colorful wild weeds and shimmering bugs on moist ground. In this place, there is absolute silence. Except for the wind tickling the weeds, or gravity pulling its weight with fruits on limbs that knocks on the surface, sound does not exist. There are no animals that walk the lush landscapes or hungry predators, ferocious fangs feeding on red blood. There are no birds that soar the skies or beaks that spear down into the ocean hunting for flesh of fish. In fact, there are no fish within its border shores, or lakes, or rivers. Between the ground and sky, there is only vertical greenery and the bugs drawing blurry lines into the sky. Below the ground are worms digging its mini dark quarries of rock and mazes created by root structures or weeds, and grass, and trees. And these roots grow immensely, penetrating the deepest of its surface core and into a darkness where tactility and imagination breeds. Roots of other species intertwine creating a web of intricate organic patterns , thick and thin cylindrical pipes moving ever so slowing to unknown places, yet unafraid, powerful, and passionate. It feels its way through and meets other roots along the way and understands the community it has created forming the strength of detailed curls and spiraling cone patterns in the dark, unburdened by the drying heat as it pushes calmly into the welcoming pores of its mother.
"Wind be my guide, without wings I will fly."
On an island far away from any bright lights of bulbs and switches exists a landscape untouched by man. It is a place where dreams are alive in the silent thoughts of the plant kingdom as the rhythm and flow of the green and yellow and blue and orange sinewy and flaccid stems move with the wind passing through their gentle bodies. It is here where one can reach the end of a rainbow and lay within the bed of colorful wild weeds and shimmering bugs on moist ground. In this place, there is absolute silence. Except for the wind tickling the weeds, or gravity pulling its weight with fruits on limbs that knocks on the surface, sound does not exist. There are no animals that walk the lush landscapes or hungry predators, ferocious fangs feeding on red blood. There are no birds that soar the skies or beaks that spear down into the ocean hunting for flesh of fish. In fact, there are no fish within its border shores, or lakes, or rivers. Between the ground and sky, there is only vertical greenery and the bugs drawing blurry lines into the sky. Below the ground are worms digging its mini dark quarries of rock and mazes created by root structures or weeds, and grass, and trees. And these roots grow immensely, penetrating the deepest of its surface core and into a darkness where tactility and imagination breeds. Roots of other species intertwine creating a web of intricate organic patterns , thick and thin cylindrical pipes moving ever so slowing to unknown places, yet unafraid, powerful, and passionate. It feels its way through and meets other roots along the way and understands the community it has created forming the strength of detailed curls and spiraling cone patterns in the dark, unburdened by the drying heat as it pushes calmly into the welcoming pores of its mother.
LITTLE GIRL - ODE AND MAR MEET
As with all life, there is good and there is the one ones who have forgotten what good was. The ones who have been born into the science of hybrid, genetic modification, seed splicing, and the ones solely made for livestock. To be born into a world without not knowing the beauty of nature, to live in the tranquil plains, on the outskirts of the suburbs, to be nothing in this landscape, never to be seen by any bug or flower. To be invisibly sad. Not like the air that flows freely, or a plant that releases the most beautiful scent into the air and mixes with the surge of wind that moves into the flow of traffic. Then it disappears into the smog, the noise, the screaming and honking - the world that completely forgot what good was. And yet, the struggle to survive in the crevices of sidewalks under the stepping of man's shoes, dog feces, spat out and chewed gum, trash that fly in the wind, weeds that reach for the light above with the grime of city life, still manages. All in silence under the violent world six feet above, and counting.
"What floor please?"
"110."
"That's near the top isn't it? Just one level higher and you would be in the Penthouse."
"110 is where I work." PH is where I live."
"Oh. So I'm guessing you are a scientist, judging from your outfit?"
"Yes, I am. But I'm just starting out. Today is my first day in the Seed Lab. Many breakthrough advances happening these days in the world of science. Pretty exciting."
"I'm hoping you thank Nature?"
"Yes, my stomach thanks it very much! (laughingly). Nature is to be tamed, and man has done it. it. And science has led the way."
"Well, sir, just remember that plants have feelings too."
"Hmmm, that's a very unscientific thought. But I will keep that in mind when I am looking at one straight in the eye!"
"I'm Ode'." And I am sure one day we will see eye to eye with nature."
"Until then, I need to use my science degree and put it to use. I'm so excited to see the lab and my labcoat! Where are you going?"
"Me? Oh, nowhere. haha. I like going up to the top of the tower. It makes me feel light as a feather and free from gravity, even though my feet are still on the ground, it ain't on the ground ground. So close to the clouds, dirty as it may be, there is still a lining of silver somewhere."
"Heaven is out there above all this mess. And science will get us there! Oh, and here we are.This is my stop, the Seed Lab."
"My parents are in heaven...Oh, btw you never said your name."
"I'm Mar."
As the stainless shimmering doors opened, the brightness of the light was so blinding that Ode had to cover them with her hands and peek through her bony fingers. Peering through, she could see the figure of the girl walk away into the whiteness and a hand waving back. In those few seconds as the doors slowly shut out the light, Ode's eyes sees a focused glimpse of her smile and her glasses, the tubes of plants in the background and the fireball explosion that rattled the entire floor lifting and thrusting Mar back into the elevator just as they shut tight. Then the elevator lights go out, a siren sounds and fear awakens. Ode already shaken to the ground crawls quickly to the other side of the elevator in the dark. She calls out to the scientist, but there is no answer. Her hands become her tactile eyes and reaches the limp body to her left. More explosions are heard behind the thick metal doors. Ode rushes to the buttons and maniacally press the button marked "L." Then she pulls away as she senses heat of the doors. She moves back to the ground and crawls eight feet away to the back wall. Feeling her way to reach the other girl in the elevator, Ods manages to pull her closer to her. She pushes and slides herself and Mar back to corner and begins to cry and pray in the pitch black.
Right outside those doors, the fire fills the floor, the exterior walls are shattered and glass test tubes are everywhere. Seeds, pinecones, twigs, and leaves are sprawled all over the floor and quickly vacuumed out into the sky . The Seed lab was no more. As the fire raged, the pinecones opened like hands and seeds began to sprout in mid air. And then the storm began. Rain and smog, plastic bags, voices in the wind, dogs running for shelter, people screaming below. This rain was different. It burned. People ran to hide if they even made it. The storm crashed upon the city very quickly. Mixed with the experiments of the seed lab, plants under the city cloud awoken. In the cracks of the sidewalk, the beginning of new life began occurring. In the weeds were screams of the men and women seeped through in into the underground of mole people and rats and sewer rivers. The weeds were coming to life. One could almost sense it screaming and facing the dark and dirty. It would be the last time that clouds or rain would exist. This day was the beginning of the end.
As with all life, there is good and there is the one ones who have forgotten what good was. The ones who have been born into the science of hybrid, genetic modification, seed splicing, and the ones solely made for livestock. To be born into a world without not knowing the beauty of nature, to live in the tranquil plains, on the outskirts of the suburbs, to be nothing in this landscape, never to be seen by any bug or flower. To be invisibly sad. Not like the air that flows freely, or a plant that releases the most beautiful scent into the air and mixes with the surge of wind that moves into the flow of traffic. Then it disappears into the smog, the noise, the screaming and honking - the world that completely forgot what good was. And yet, the struggle to survive in the crevices of sidewalks under the stepping of man's shoes, dog feces, spat out and chewed gum, trash that fly in the wind, weeds that reach for the light above with the grime of city life, still manages. All in silence under the violent world six feet above, and counting.
"What floor please?"
"110."
"That's near the top isn't it? Just one level higher and you would be in the Penthouse."
"110 is where I work." PH is where I live."
"Oh. So I'm guessing you are a scientist, judging from your outfit?"
"Yes, I am. But I'm just starting out. Today is my first day in the Seed Lab. Many breakthrough advances happening these days in the world of science. Pretty exciting."
"I'm hoping you thank Nature?"
"Yes, my stomach thanks it very much! (laughingly). Nature is to be tamed, and man has done it. it. And science has led the way."
"Well, sir, just remember that plants have feelings too."
"Hmmm, that's a very unscientific thought. But I will keep that in mind when I am looking at one straight in the eye!"
"I'm Ode'." And I am sure one day we will see eye to eye with nature."
"Until then, I need to use my science degree and put it to use. I'm so excited to see the lab and my labcoat! Where are you going?"
"Me? Oh, nowhere. haha. I like going up to the top of the tower. It makes me feel light as a feather and free from gravity, even though my feet are still on the ground, it ain't on the ground ground. So close to the clouds, dirty as it may be, there is still a lining of silver somewhere."
"Heaven is out there above all this mess. And science will get us there! Oh, and here we are.This is my stop, the Seed Lab."
"My parents are in heaven...Oh, btw you never said your name."
"I'm Mar."
As the stainless shimmering doors opened, the brightness of the light was so blinding that Ode had to cover them with her hands and peek through her bony fingers. Peering through, she could see the figure of the girl walk away into the whiteness and a hand waving back. In those few seconds as the doors slowly shut out the light, Ode's eyes sees a focused glimpse of her smile and her glasses, the tubes of plants in the background and the fireball explosion that rattled the entire floor lifting and thrusting Mar back into the elevator just as they shut tight. Then the elevator lights go out, a siren sounds and fear awakens. Ode already shaken to the ground crawls quickly to the other side of the elevator in the dark. She calls out to the scientist, but there is no answer. Her hands become her tactile eyes and reaches the limp body to her left. More explosions are heard behind the thick metal doors. Ode rushes to the buttons and maniacally press the button marked "L." Then she pulls away as she senses heat of the doors. She moves back to the ground and crawls eight feet away to the back wall. Feeling her way to reach the other girl in the elevator, Ods manages to pull her closer to her. She pushes and slides herself and Mar back to corner and begins to cry and pray in the pitch black.
Right outside those doors, the fire fills the floor, the exterior walls are shattered and glass test tubes are everywhere. Seeds, pinecones, twigs, and leaves are sprawled all over the floor and quickly vacuumed out into the sky . The Seed lab was no more. As the fire raged, the pinecones opened like hands and seeds began to sprout in mid air. And then the storm began. Rain and smog, plastic bags, voices in the wind, dogs running for shelter, people screaming below. This rain was different. It burned. People ran to hide if they even made it. The storm crashed upon the city very quickly. Mixed with the experiments of the seed lab, plants under the city cloud awoken. In the cracks of the sidewalk, the beginning of new life began occurring. In the weeds were screams of the men and women seeped through in into the underground of mole people and rats and sewer rivers. The weeds were coming to life. One could almost sense it screaming and facing the dark and dirty. It would be the last time that clouds or rain would exist. This day was the beginning of the end.
AFTER - TAINE
Artificial Intelligence never came to fruition. It was a technological breakthrough but failed as a communication vessel. Even with retinal recognition, tactile sensors, and skin-like facial wrinkles that defined a look of laughter, or anger, or pain, or the infinite bytes of memory to store images of "memory", there was no mechanism that developed the notion of fight or flight in the ability to love another human being. Even though racism, sexism, anti-semitism, bigotry, homophobia were eradicated from the new dictionary of artificial language, so were the words such as desire, passion, longing, intimacy, and love. Artificial Intelligence was nothing more than a highly improved efficient house, car, and office. In these homes, daily life was programmed by the minute on every chore and task, eliminating forgetfulness and the need for human memory to exist. What happened along the way in these intelligent houses gave way to the rise of what was called The Natural Existence, the microcosm of plants and bugs that thrived within the dutiful task of the Intelligent home, watering, sun, soil dampness, pollination, pruning, hybridization, killing off weeds and low-chain surface plants that were a detriment to maintaining high rise plants, and genetic modification. Vibrations and sound also became integrated as part of the experimentation, as it was discovered that plants react to fluctuations in the air. Like the hairs that stood up on our arms, these primal mechanisms existed in plants. Artificial Intelligence defined plants as a species with sensation. Not to go as far as having emotions, since plants do not have faces, but close to the resemblance of movements in embracing. Plants became protected by the artificial intelligence of the homes and offices and soon became known to the society as the Natural Existence, or the NE. Together they formed TAINE, The Artificial Intelligent Natural Existence and would become a powerful entity in the downfall of evil. But the face of evil was masked in that of powerful bugs who, like AI had no sense of fear. Plants and Bugs ensued in a war that would exist for the next one hundred years leaving humans to suffer in its wake. During the Natural War, pollution, climate change, toxic waste, and trash, all led to man's downfall. What technology set out to become, the hope of the efficient future, instead became a soldier for the Natural Existence. With the new superior species on the upper hand, man slowly withered away, being deprived of nourishment that plants would have given. A new world without Mother Nature was happening and everyone with a facial expression was met with a bleak outlook.
Artificial Intelligence never came to fruition. It was a technological breakthrough but failed as a communication vessel. Even with retinal recognition, tactile sensors, and skin-like facial wrinkles that defined a look of laughter, or anger, or pain, or the infinite bytes of memory to store images of "memory", there was no mechanism that developed the notion of fight or flight in the ability to love another human being. Even though racism, sexism, anti-semitism, bigotry, homophobia were eradicated from the new dictionary of artificial language, so were the words such as desire, passion, longing, intimacy, and love. Artificial Intelligence was nothing more than a highly improved efficient house, car, and office. In these homes, daily life was programmed by the minute on every chore and task, eliminating forgetfulness and the need for human memory to exist. What happened along the way in these intelligent houses gave way to the rise of what was called The Natural Existence, the microcosm of plants and bugs that thrived within the dutiful task of the Intelligent home, watering, sun, soil dampness, pollination, pruning, hybridization, killing off weeds and low-chain surface plants that were a detriment to maintaining high rise plants, and genetic modification. Vibrations and sound also became integrated as part of the experimentation, as it was discovered that plants react to fluctuations in the air. Like the hairs that stood up on our arms, these primal mechanisms existed in plants. Artificial Intelligence defined plants as a species with sensation. Not to go as far as having emotions, since plants do not have faces, but close to the resemblance of movements in embracing. Plants became protected by the artificial intelligence of the homes and offices and soon became known to the society as the Natural Existence, or the NE. Together they formed TAINE, The Artificial Intelligent Natural Existence and would become a powerful entity in the downfall of evil. But the face of evil was masked in that of powerful bugs who, like AI had no sense of fear. Plants and Bugs ensued in a war that would exist for the next one hundred years leaving humans to suffer in its wake. During the Natural War, pollution, climate change, toxic waste, and trash, all led to man's downfall. What technology set out to become, the hope of the efficient future, instead became a soldier for the Natural Existence. With the new superior species on the upper hand, man slowly withered away, being deprived of nourishment that plants would have given. A new world without Mother Nature was happening and everyone with a facial expression was met with a bleak outlook.
LITTLE GIRL - TIER
A little girl screams in a cavern of echoes as she is awoken by rain. Her name is Tier and she is an empath but does not yet know it. She feels very connected to nature and feels a change is happening. She sits with her arms tightly embracing her chins, frozen staring out of the one opening she can peer through. Dim strips of light fall upon her eyes from the outside as tears roll down like the rain. Her tears are her own originating from emotions yet to be resolved. In her loneliness, she is cradled like a womb, covered in the rings of bark that has held her for nine months, her eyes not yet open to the world. But she hears the rain drops, spheres of pollution soaked by the dirty clouds. These tears falling from the eyes of a once peaceful Mother uncertain of her own innocence and yearning to leave, but not before the birth of this emotional child pushing its way out from the trunk of an old growth tree in a rainforest deep and far enough that only secrets of the wind alone has kept it from being revealed, a breeze that is always moving and mingling in city whirlwinds of street rubbish, plastic bags, dried leaves, soot, and dust of things unknown heaping itself a hard shell of discarded things, an armor of ugly necessity. But today at the border between town and country, the wind is silent as the rain washes the trash away setting it loose to scatter in piles and creating mounds of floating debris as bugs cling to twigs moves them further away from the building that was destroyed a few blocks east and moves quickly into the rainforest. In this tree fill tower of a place, the oldest of trees is pressed deeply into the ground, heavy as to have make its immediate surroundings depressed and creating bowl around itself with some of its roots as undulating in and out of the soil. As the rain falls harder, the rivers rise and flows quickly towards the concave depression beneath the old growth tree and begins to form a twisted nest of citylife's shaken head of pollution. Tier is quivering thirty feet above the dirty whirlpool locked within the trunk. She hears clicking and gnawing of bark from city bugs in close proximity. Her screams must have been heard in the microcosm world and the insects were present to deliver her. Her heartbeat is faint but is sensed by the biology of the bugs who work as a community to free her. With rain, bugs, and trash, Tier is birthed today, the first successful natural birth from Trees. As her fragile body separates from the trees, the winged bugs help ease her fall into the trash heap where she will be baptized by the tears from above, high above where Mother Nature cries watching the last of her kind exist. As her eyes closed, droplets of her tears fell directly upon the slits of Tier's eyes. And with that Tier Sorrow opened her eyes trying not to drown in the downpour of waste.
A little girl screams in a cavern of echoes as she is awoken by rain. Her name is Tier and she is an empath but does not yet know it. She feels very connected to nature and feels a change is happening. She sits with her arms tightly embracing her chins, frozen staring out of the one opening she can peer through. Dim strips of light fall upon her eyes from the outside as tears roll down like the rain. Her tears are her own originating from emotions yet to be resolved. In her loneliness, she is cradled like a womb, covered in the rings of bark that has held her for nine months, her eyes not yet open to the world. But she hears the rain drops, spheres of pollution soaked by the dirty clouds. These tears falling from the eyes of a once peaceful Mother uncertain of her own innocence and yearning to leave, but not before the birth of this emotional child pushing its way out from the trunk of an old growth tree in a rainforest deep and far enough that only secrets of the wind alone has kept it from being revealed, a breeze that is always moving and mingling in city whirlwinds of street rubbish, plastic bags, dried leaves, soot, and dust of things unknown heaping itself a hard shell of discarded things, an armor of ugly necessity. But today at the border between town and country, the wind is silent as the rain washes the trash away setting it loose to scatter in piles and creating mounds of floating debris as bugs cling to twigs moves them further away from the building that was destroyed a few blocks east and moves quickly into the rainforest. In this tree fill tower of a place, the oldest of trees is pressed deeply into the ground, heavy as to have make its immediate surroundings depressed and creating bowl around itself with some of its roots as undulating in and out of the soil. As the rain falls harder, the rivers rise and flows quickly towards the concave depression beneath the old growth tree and begins to form a twisted nest of citylife's shaken head of pollution. Tier is quivering thirty feet above the dirty whirlpool locked within the trunk. She hears clicking and gnawing of bark from city bugs in close proximity. Her screams must have been heard in the microcosm world and the insects were present to deliver her. Her heartbeat is faint but is sensed by the biology of the bugs who work as a community to free her. With rain, bugs, and trash, Tier is birthed today, the first successful natural birth from Trees. As her fragile body separates from the trees, the winged bugs help ease her fall into the trash heap where she will be baptized by the tears from above, high above where Mother Nature cries watching the last of her kind exist. As her eyes closed, droplets of her tears fell directly upon the slits of Tier's eyes. And with that Tier Sorrow opened her eyes trying not to drown in the downpour of waste.
