Time Flies

A crack in the glass over Parphar resulted in a release of flies out of and into the dome over the city. Billions of them drifted down into town. At first they were thought to be volcanic ash from Olympic Mons in spite of the impossible distance involved but were later identified as biostatic debris, the affect of which is well known to be a sometimes terminal melancholy. This melancholy, along with the unscheduled rain that was authorized to wash them away, caused a wave of contemplative verse among poets which in turn generated a severe time storm. A deadly wave of nostalgia hit particularly hard in the Spectacular area, recently affected by political and philosophical unrest. Citizens there are said to feel like their hearts are laid out on their café tables for all to see.

A broadside was circulated of a poem called The Flies along with the rumor that the poem and, in fact, the event were comments on our recent visitors. The author is said to have denied the connection. On closer examination it was noted that the poem does not contain any words, relying for effect on image and intimation. It has entered the canon immediately. Several imitations, a diagram and one commentary have appeared.

The storm, however, rages on.

Stendahl

Alan Halsey

et al.