The Pad By Henry Kastler

3 incandescent lights a monitor the reflection of 2 lights in the black screen of the television. An American flag hanging on the wall behind a stereo rack a listener’s tribute to the electric guitar. Next to the flag the poster for 2001: A Space Odyssey a painting of a rocket ship blasting off from a space station bay orbiting the Earth. In the background the moon. It is quiet a computer hum whirr of the fan thousands of revolutions. Before the nuke, people went to war for what was believed and shared but now it’s back to business. The light and the shadow are one. Water drips into a bowl from a leaking faucet with a pause a collection of plants and animals waiting for the sun to rise or the Earth to move same difference whichever you choose. Books, wire, shoes, jewel cases, cellophane wrappers and holographic stickers cardboard boxes open and empty, inanimate all eternal material arranged somewhat preserving disorder and uncorked bottles of wine. A brass lock on a glass door with a wood grid was opened and closed and opened again. The lights are cups of coffee, the cups of coffee pillows, the pillows are waking dreams. Back to Table of Contents Email this article to a friend Copyright©2001 by Henry Kastler. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.