It was raining. But oh, what beautiful rain.
I saw the inbox flashing, y'unnerstann, and "RE: At Great Risk, A Declaration" couple lines down, just after a spam affair offering 98% more willy and a fella from Wolverhampton promising a collection of Tolstoy works should I order a new vacuum.
I saw it, and I shivered a tad. I'll open it later, I figured, after I shred a couple inches off the lawn.
T'was whilst I was cutting the grass that I got to thinking about how London might not want to kill me. Maybe all I'd find would be a collection of scenes much like what I'm used to, just played out afore a different set o' bastards and poets and folks make me smile and chuckle and weep.
Maybe there's no reason to be scared.
And aye, maybe I'll never need worry. Maybe she's demanded, in CAPS LOCK swears all Courier New and size 99 that I better get down there immediately, come kiss her and hold her hand and sing her that song I wrote about how I was sorry I had a wank regarding a dirty joke she made one time.
That she didn't say that, that she maybe said no, stay where you are, all very likely, and all very unpleasant, no thought to be thinking whilst a fellas trimming hedges with a blade size o' Russia.
I stared at the email a long time before I opened it.
Eventually, I did.
I leave for London in September.
Thanks folks.
Article comments
1 - Richard Marcus
Another masterful gem written from your personal heart of darkness my friend. London won't know what hit it, and you might not know what London is going to hit you with, but it will be far better for you than the factory life.
It's all what you make of it anyway, least that's what they tell me on my good days, on the bad days it doesn't matter anyway just as long as you make it.
Fare Well in that dirty old town.
cheers
2 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Thank you Richard. And you're right, it's all in what you make of it. It's a fairly troubling thought, that it might reveal itself to be some kind o' arachnid monstrosity snarlin at my cheek-bones, but worse than that notion is the notion of never doin nothin cause you're somewhat scared regarding the whole What's Out There thing.
certainly scribbling this screed has proved all sortsa cathartic with regards clearing the mind-funk.
thank you again, sir, very much appreciated, those words.
3 - DJRadiohead
Just saw this up here a second ago... looking forward to giving it a proper reading, Duke.
Btw... it was great having you back on the BCRadio thing.
4 - Sinéad
our aaron, that made me weep a little
5 - Greg Smyth
How could it have ended any different? Obviously disappointing personally but, as part of The Duke's Great Ongoing Masterwork, a necessary plot point.
Top drawer as usual, Good Sir.
6 - Aaron Fleming
Fucking great! But oh so sad and meditative at the same time. Wonderful poetic genius!
And I feel your fear, but agree that the fear of doing nothing is that bit stronger. One fear shoving another fear along...that might make a good stop-motion animation.
7 - Mark Saleski
i might be getting my history all fouled up & fuzzy...but that's pretty close to the best goddamned thing you've ever written here.
8 - Fearghus
Man, that's fucking amazing. Traumatic but poetry without a doubt. You're a gifted fella. Good luck..
9 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Dear lord, folks, thank you. i expected a greetin of maybe "oh, AGAIN with the moaning". but no, lovely words awaiting a fella.
DJ - i hope you dig it sir, and t'was a pleasure to be back on BC, although i apologise no end for what is, really, a terribly shoddy segment. i was rusty, as you're well aware.
sinead - thank you m'dear. and it had the same effect on me. imagine that.
(unreleated side-note regarding the mystery recipient o' the email described up yonder, whose permission wasn't asked, and a formal thank you for not tearin the limbs off my torso wi rage)
Greg - thank you sir. heh, a neccesary plot point. it is. still, i coulda worked just as well with a different conclusion. ah well.
Sir Fleming - you're input on these matters is highly regarded, seeing as how involved in them you are (should point out the email wasn't an email to Sir Fleming). and that animation aside had me roarin to the heavens wi giddy throat-spasms.
Sir Saleski - thank you, i can't offer any opinion on your musing, but i'm very glad you saw fit to muse in such a manner.
and Fearghus - i'll take that luck, good sir, and run with it. Thank you for stoppin by!
10 - DJRadiohead
Duke! This is... well fuck, good man. This is fucking great. All of it. Every last word of it. Now I am feeling like I should switch from the Petty on my iPod to "London Calling." Is that weird? Yeah. I thought so, too. Enough of me. Seriously, Duke. This was a great one. I cannot wait for the next installment in written or audio form.
11 - Scott Butki
Another excellent, fascinating mind-blowing piece, Dukester. So what's the time frame on your move?
12 - Duke De Mondo
DJ, i dunno how i missed your comment, but thank you! and the new instalment is with the BC cleaners, as they say.
Scott - I DO know how i missed yours, and it relates to an email dysfunction. What i can tell you is that since this number was etched, the move has been put back to September of 2007 for reasons of finance and what have you. Also, it gives me time to get the ol' novel scribbled. i'm feelin very good about that, actually, on account of bein in the midst of chapter 6, and therefore unmistakably well past chapter one paragraph one. terror'll do that to you. and thank you for the kind words, apologies again that it took so long for me to respond.