A human had a poetry book that they took everywhere with them and enjoyed sitting and reading when they had time. Admittedly, time could be few and far between with their job. One poem she recited softly to herself from time to time had her liaison curious and he asked what it was she was muttering to herself. Her reply confused him because she stated it was a poem about nothing. But how could it be about nothing? All such works are about something... right?
A Poem About Nothing
This is a poem about nothing.
No flowing words about gardens or trees.
No tales of the birds and the bees,
Because, this is a poem of nothing.This is a poem about nothing.
No winking stars in the evening skies.
No mysteries or lovely eyes,
No, this is truly about nothing.This is a poem about something.
Of this, I truly now know.
It’s so very odd how things can go.
Because, this poem is something about nothing. -- DaniAndShali
Companion Graith had to know what was in the book. It was Human Trent's primary comfort article. They used it, in Trent's own words, "to degauss". The pages of yellowing paper were treated with careful reverence and the whole thing had been rebound four times before Graith had met Trent, which meant that it was something that had been read and read again until the very substance of its makeup had to be replaced. This was something very important in their Human's life.
Of course, the fact that Human Trent didn't let it out of their personal aura was also a chief indicator. Of course, the trouble with taking a look was... Human Trent didn't let it out of their personal aura. There was, fortunately, one never-fail method that guaranteed the best chance of taking a peek. "Human Trent, may I also read your book of poetry?"
Human Trent smiled and brought the book out of their special protective locker pocket in their livesuit. "You'll think it's silly," they warned. "But every single one of these poems helps me feel better after a bad day."
Graith took the book reverentially, and carefully examined the most-opened space. The poem was literally about nothing. Curious, Graith turned the page.
Late last night upon the stair
I met a man who wasn't there
He wasn't there again today
Oh how I wish he'd go away.
Graith found another one.
Shake and shake that ketchup bottle
First none'll come, and then a lot'll.
Graith could not understand. "These are all nonsense. None of them are profound or insightful or inspiring..." this one was about a place called the Ning Nang Nong. "Some of these aren't even using proper words."
"I know, right?" Human Trent enthused. "When everything's been heavy for too long, it really grounds me to know that the world has been ridiculous and will be ridiculous again."
Graith would not understand it in all the days of their life. They handed the book back with care because it was precious to their Human. "Perhaps when the world has been heavy for me, it may help."
"I hope so. Let me know and I'll do a ridiculously dramatic reading. On the worst day ever? It really helps to have a laugh."
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / makc76]
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