The essence of literature is human stubbornness.

Like a musical note, stubbornness holds one thing steady

Even in the midst of noise.

Stubbornness is that which gives feeling its flavor.

Stubbornness is what causes humans to choose conflict

When they would otherwise just take what they get.

The consequence of conflict is often tragedy,

Which gives them the karma that stubbornness deserves.

Somet...

A tiny starship traced a bluish-white line across the purple and orange sky of Kester 5, as Lysander watched its patient ascent in a state of listless curiosity. Why was it alone? he wondered. What was its purpose?

As a lowly soldier in the revolutionary militia, preparing to depart for a surprise incursion into the capital planet of Zyroth, he had no way to answer such questions. His comrades bu...

I fell in love with the angel whose wings were black

The mystery of unreachable dreams.

I had thought it would be something I could never get back

If I let it break apart at the seams

So I swore to myself I would find a way

Some miracle would happen, I’d be free

But trouble kept coming and led me astray

So I fought just to reclaim my sanity.

When life was hard, I could still see the angel

...

An author kicking a can down the road met an artist also kicking a can down the road.

“Nice can,” said the author.

“Thanks, it’s a Campbell’s soup can,” replied the artist. “It represents a semi-ironic embrace of the commercialization of popular culture.”

“Cool,” said the author, pausing to process that information. “Why are you kicking it?”

“Because it’s not me, and it never will be,” declare...