there.

rewriting landscape.

 

Linda V. Russo

AN AIR

 

Relax your throat. Intimate boundaries constructed of air, the moving eye, the powerful, disturbed. I suppose. They watch. Let’s not let them let us. It’s what they want. It’s their power over me. My social service as botoxic. It’s simply astonishing. To have such power is . . . I earned it. What can I say. Privilege is a burden I earned. My fans love it. I’d throttle myself if I could. I’m that happy.

I myself am a huge fan of air: noise, emissions control, wind energy, kite flying, flag waving, and cloud watching. And breathing! You name it. I love a conflict! Sometimes you have to choose – flags or demanding tougher standards for industry? It’s a small sacrifice, but we make it. Superb. Breathe. Relax your throat! Throw your shoulders back. Visualize your lungs as expanding helium grapes! You are floating. You and your angel face – you know that?

If there are good forces and evil forces only, then we can just forget about the evil. It runs its course and History proves it. The subtle campaign to intimidate academics should cease. We need history – I mean we’re here, aren’t we? It’s a grand plan, you have to admit, that I am here, and you are here, and I know you’re not evil. I do. I do. I do. I’ve eradicated it, personally.

I didn’t mean to make you cry, or feel slighted, or inadequate, or unloved, or crying, bawling, spitting up, smelling of vomit. I certainly didn’t mean to procreate, and now I’ll have spit up all over my breasts, which used to be so pristine. I mean they were tidy and now look at them. No don’t. My stupid cat just licked a bug. She’s not fit to eat that! Stupid cat! I want you to cheer up!

Consider this: the average American woman will spend over 400 days of her life shopping for the perfect pajamas – yet is she happy? Does the shopping cease?

If I could say one thing about my country I would say that it’s stupid that I only get to say one thing.

How did I get here?


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there 2006, 2007