Freedom of Voice

I saw a red flower, a fiery blaze among a wasteland of twigs and dead grasses. Its petals like miniature trumpets, blasting out the sound of red, unapologetically announcing its presence. A lesson in resilience. I saw a dusty path leading nowhere, yet leading me somewhere, to a window carved in between bent trees. Its view like a portal to a watery world with hidden treasures and unknown wonders. A lesson in curiosity. I saw a piece of barbed wire, rusty and mangled, restraining the remains of a tree. Its spikes like a crucifix crown, digging into the already dead tree, a warning to those who passed. A lesson in obedience. I saw a congregation of fish, growing from three to eight, all waiting for something. Their fluid movements keeping them in place, moving, yet not going anywhere, all eyes affixed on one spot. A lesson in patience. I saw a patch of vegetation, jutting out from the water, rebelliously rooted in the glassy water. Its blades like unruly hai...

You know how there's always that one  person who has to make some comment that just pisses you off? It may be face-to-face, in a text, or on your social media page. But, you know you can count on one thing: this person will make a comment. And, you really want to comment back something like: "What exactly do you mean by that?" Or, more often, "What the fuck is your problem?" Add to the frustration that said person puts "lol" at the end of every passive-aggressive quip. As if that suddenly makes it hilarious.  It reminds me of the quick "just joking!" people throw out after saying something cruel or bigoted. No, you weren't joking. Your intention was to irritate, hurt, or anger. Well, from now on, it's falling on deaf ears. I am learning the best defense against this is not to comment at all. Leave their comments floating in the air, a silent refusal to assign importance to the ignorance. Leave them hanging.  Because I believe th...