Yishuv

the birth of a nation

prologue: "yahrzeit"

(Hammer Bay, Genosha)--For the second
week running rival factions within
the Genoshan parliament extended their
clashes to the streets as the chaos
continues following the collapse of
the government there. Elements of
the Royal Genoshan Defense Forces,
themselves riven and factionalised,
were unable to restore order as the
city itself threatened to explode.

Most foreign observers have now
concluded that the danger of a
third civil war in less than a
generation is all but inevitable.
Others fear that the political
and social anarchy that was
spawned by the mass-assassination
of the Cabinet will lead to the
complete Lebanese-style collapse
of the state. (AP)

Asteroid M

In geosynchronous orbit

July 12, 2007

The candle flickered before me, a dim luminescence which failed to brighten the gloom that permeated my chamber.

I shouldn't, of course, have expected it to.

I permitted myself this one, simple remembrance, a vanity if you will. I needed my pain. It drove me on, gave me purpose, and ultimately, though in my heart of hearts I wish it were not so, would seal my fate. This nondescript candle, lit for one who died long, long ago. No one was left to remember her but myself, her father. Not her mother, who fled my arms as I avenged our daughter's death, no her brother and sister, born after she died and oblivious to her existence, not a single relative...all of whom perished over half a century ago. No one, that is, save I.

There was no minyan; I could not say kaddish were I even inclined to...and I am not. But the practices of my youth haunt me still, no matter how hard I try to distance myself from them. They will ever be by my side, as surely as the memories will never fade, seared as they are in the core of my mind, burning as hot as an oven.

This yahrzeit will have to do.

For a moment, I allowed myself to watch the dancing flame before me. It moved to and fro in the circulating air, undulating slowly. I will remember you Anya, always. For you, if not for generations yet to come, I dedicate this last dance to.

And perhaps, when this dance is over, the darkness will lift.

Perhaps.