Tidally Locked published The Blue Nib Literary Magazine
I was a believer when the ritual first began but I never thought I would be defending from taking that which is not meant to be given
dignity opportunity potential or sacrificed at the altar
of widespread cynicism masked with big words like Individualized Education Plan and Executive Functioning Skills and assurances that
“We care a lot.”
I was an agitator approaching the tabernacle of adult Walk Heavies orbiting our four-year-old son and his exotic particles
a perfect memory for the spoken word a vocabulary exceeding most fourth graders a tendency for literal interpretations a memory for
“Don’t come back until you can use scissors and button your jeans.”
Even though you admitted to us that you said this and meant it you’re fired.
I was a disruptor mending wounds of anguish and lacerations of distress surgically administered over time in 24 hour cycles
on the playground, in the hallways, at lunch in a locked bathroom stall for 45 minutes bullied by a plague of a kid. My son is not your son’s pavement.
“Joey was just kidding. You should teach your kid to defend himself.”
I was a skeptic numb to the creeds of indifference and always unmet IEP objectives and the harried accusations
“Your son is like the moon. One sided. He just can’t revolve like other kids. He is too still.”
And the basilica of bluster persuaded by its own lack of definition mired in its own well of gravity unaware of nearby celestial bodies
simple preached “He’ll never learn to type or to drive, and he’ll never go to college.”
We’ll do this ourselves. “You can’t do this alone.” Oh, we are not going to do this alone. Just not with you.
I became a heretic when I grew up and became Brogan’s mom and felt the dark matter pulsing around him in cosmic waves
visible penetrating magnificent the constellation of his Whatness
keeping me in an orbit safe enough to be brave close enough to say to the universe I am a disbeliever in the myth that the moon
is still, unmoving, incapable. Having stood bathed in light on the near side and having negotiated the cratered far side of the moon for 21 years
I can tell you that the problem is perspective the issue is your speed the thing is your timing
People of this Planet the moon rotates and the stars rise and fall there Just like on your earth
but you are tidally locked and have not met many moons at all.