Disclaimer –
Derek's work has been registered at the U.S. Library of Congress, so it would be a terrible financial idea to plagiarize or use any of the material found on this website for your own purposes. Nevertheless, enjoy the writing!On Hearing an Opinion
(1996)
Have you ever thrown yourself into a large machine,
distilled out all your impurities,
and accidentally sifted out some of the pleasures
of your life?
Have you ever played marbles in an open field and,
rather than hit a small marble out of a yarn circle,
you smash out a bit
of your childhood?
Have you ever wrapped a tourniquet around your brain
and tightened until nothing was left
but tomorrow and today?
Have you ever read a novel by James A. Mischner and,
before finishing,
decided that it would simply make better firewood
than reading material?
Have you ever had a such a brilliant thought
that no one could possibly believe it belonged to you,
so you keep it a secret to avoid
being called a plagiarist?
Have you ever been called inferior?
Have you ever thrown yourself into a large machine,
distilled out all your impurities,
and accidentally sifted out some of the pleasures
of your life?
Have you ever played marbles in an open field and,
rather than hit a small marble out of a yarn circle,
you smash out a bit
of your childhood?
Have you ever wrapped a tourniquet around your brain
and tightened until nothing was left
but tomorrow and today?
Have you ever read a novel by James A. Mischner and,
before finishing,
decided that it would simply make better firewood
than reading material?
Have you ever had a such a brilliant thought
that no one could possibly believe it belonged to you,
so you keep it a secret to avoid
being called a plagiarist?
Have you ever been called inferior?