Sometimes I think the whole thing is too rotten to stand. Because what do we have? 350 million North Americans with almost 90% of the world's wealth (don't talk to me about Mexico -- that's like purgatory with piƱatas). An entire culture predicated on everybody wanting everything all the time. And no idea about dessert, other than I deserve it. We live in the most privileged society that has ever existed and yet all the (dying) bookstores are spilling with self-help titles, all because the (dying) middle class can't manage its own money. Or stop eating. And all our debates are about our neighbours getting away with something, or getting something for nothing, while the various star chambers use hundred dollar bills to stuff their pillows and dream only the sweetest dreams that only the born rich can know.
People are always telling me that my work is too dark. So I've put up this sunnier story, but even it has a shadow, as its original publisher – a fine Atlantic Canadian literary magazine called the Gaspereau Review – is no longer in business. ---------------- It was a simple enough thing and that thing was simply this: Edmund Kelley was a gentleman. Of course his mom called him her 'little gentleman', as in 'Oh Edmund, you are my perfect little gentleman,' which did seem to hold to a certain logic that these type of things often follow, considering her affection for him and the fact that he was, after all, only ten years old. Still, Edmund himself was not particularly fond of the diminutive aspect of that title. Gentleman was enough; gentleman summed up the whole thing rather nicely, thank you. He was definitely a more refined version of your average child. He lived in a state of perpetual Sunday m
Very true words, I often feel I have no place to feel unhappy because compared to many I live like a king: a nice home to live in, plenty of food, friends and family.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm taking on a big charity project to help give something to those less fortunate, we've all got to try right?
Best Wishes,
Liam