We Have No Societal Darlings Here

Written By: Ralph Hawk

            I think most mortals will agree that whenever one begins to do a task, the repetition of which

will now surely become a part of that one’s life for some length of time, that one will “learn”

how to complete that task more easily, and most likely more efficiently with each performance of it.

And that’s certainly been the case for me since I’ve undertaken the de facto leadership role of these

artistic type individuals who now live along the north shore of my (adopted) city’s river.

            And, as artists go, they’re a rather unruly lot. They don’t like to have what they believe are

unnecessary restrictions placed upon them. Yet, they’re so real! So real! And I never knew what life

was really about until I met them!

            And when I say I didn’t know what life was really about, I refer to the fact that I didn’t

understand the importance of interactions between mortals. But, while at that time I may not have

truly grasped the relevance of human discourse and group conduct, I had long before gained

knowledge of a fact which I fear many mortals, still to this day, do not know of or believe. Planet

Earth has fifty-four different tracks of reality existing upon it! And we live in the one which is

considered the foremost of all of them, Earth One. But I came to this reality from the one designated

Parallel Reflections. And since I’ve lived in this urban area of this reality, I’ve sought to relocate

creative types to this city, and specifically to the very near north shore of its dividing river. And

many have come here. And some have relocated here from other parts of this nation, some from

foreign countries, some from other earthly realities, and yes, some have simply moved here to the

near north side from other parts of this city.

            But I can truthfully say that I’ve always sought not to impose my will or ideas on others. And

that’s the approach I’ve adopted here in this city as well. And strangely, that approach seems to have

worked well in regard to artistic output here, but not so well in regard to “attractions” that have

developed between some of our people. To be blunt, since the publication of Pierce Gates’

“Captured” pieces, many people have contacted me as to whether they also could find a perfect mate

and then “slip away” into a parallel reality in which they’d never physically age or experience all the

problems they must now contend with in Earth One. And my answer to those people is:  I can’t grant

you what Pierce and Dana were given. Only the superiors of her reality of the earth can do so. And

only they decided it would be proper for Mr. Gates and Ms. Gerous to become man and wife and

move from this reality of the Earth to a different one where obviously life is much easier to live and,

simply better.

            And a number of people have asked about Charles and Valerie. They’re the couple who met in

Paris and fell in love there after I’d sent Charles to that city of light to search for two members of our

enclave (Amber and Renni) whom we believed may have been taken there against their will. Well, let

me tell you only this concerning Mr. Platt and Ms. Danns; not since I’ve relocated to this city has one

“dilemma” troubled me more than the relationship of Charles Platt, or Corzer as we call him, and his

Parisian love Valerie Danns. But rest assured, I’ve done all I can to help them. And I’ve persuaded

them to relate what we hope will be a joyful ending (at least that’s where it’s at today – I think) to their

“story” in an upcoming book which will be entitled “The Students Of The Highway,” and which

should receive publication next year.

            And yes, over the span of time I’ve been here, a number of strange and bizarre incidents have

occurred both within, and in the nearby areas of this city, And those who’ve read the book “The Same

Tapes” know of a number of them.

            Yet, whenever anyone from either inside or outside the so-called media has tried to learn

what really occurs in this city on a daily basis, he or she has only gained such information through

actually coming here and remaining here for some length of time! But to my knowledge, there are no

“media manipulators” living in this city - at least not among those of us who comprise what we refer

to as this city’s “artistic enclave.” And, don’t expect anyone here to pompously “plug” his or her

latest literary creation from his or her so-called “middle class” abode out in the suburbs. Also, don’t

wait for anyone from here to infer that he or she is today’s answer to Fitzgerald, Joyce, or even

Cartland.

            But, if there is one thing we who live here hold as certain now, it’s that politics can’t be

shunned by anyone, and especially those who try to shun it. Someone once said that all of life is

politics, and if that person wasn’t correct in that assertion, well, then he was only barely wrong. But

how has that fact impacted us who live here on this city’s near north side? I’m thinking the answer to

that question is:  The same way it’s impacted everyone else across all nations of this reality of the

earth.

            And what about those literary types who continually try to “chip away” at all that could, and

probably should be said? Well, in my opinion, here’s what’s to be said about them:  “If the people

have something they feel is necessary to say, then ‘gal darnit’ let them say it!” But does the public

really need to read about all those old actors, actresses, and rock stars? And to those who think they

can remain faceless behind radio microphones, and perhaps “launch” a few best sellers from there,

don’t fool yourselves, America knows who you are. It’s divided in its opinion of you.

            And, likewise, in this day and age we apparently have some politically powerful (and in their

minds correct) people who think they can assure and insure the futures of those whom they evidently

consider below themselves socially. But now that their failures have been exposed, isn’t one left to

wonder what their real motivation for telling falsehoods to the so-called “common man” was, or still

is? Learn this – it will never fail – don’t abuse or mock either liberalism or conservatism! Use both of

them well. And respect both of them. And in a world where, as we noted earlier, all of life actually

revolves around political activity and choices, they are your only guards against dictatorship of either

the far left or far right wings of the political spectrum.

            And in closing, let me say that all I’ve said in this piece is true. And in it I’ve enunciated some

of the tenets which those of us who live along this city’s near north side cling to temporally, as we

prepare for a second life which we know will assuredly continue eternally. And whenever the “gods”

of any sort of “correctness” tell us we must change our ways, we say:  “No, we really don’t need to

alter our ways of thinking and living, because we have no societal darlings here.”