One time this boy asked me if I did LSD. I told him I did not, because I don't and he started grinning. I smiled politely and asked "Should I try it?" He nodded his head vigorously and I shot back, "I'm not one for psychedelics, give me some good reasons why I, your average joe, should try this drug." I wanted to humour him because he seemed so excited.
He smiled even wider and went into this long story about it. I only half listened because I knew I wouldn't be trying LSD any time soon. Towards the end of his grand tale he said something that has become important to me.
"We are all lights, you know? We just burn out sometimes. We do our time and then we die. I don't want to burn out without leaving something behind. I don't want to be a useless lightbulb. I want to be the one light that leads someone out of a dark tunnel. Or a light on Broadway or the one light that turns on during a storm. I don't want to burn out, too many people burn out much too soon."
He said this to conclude why I should take LSD. I just looked at him for a moment before saying, "I don't think I'll be trying psychedelics any time soon, but that last thing you said, I think that is going to stick with me for a while."
He nodded solemnly and I smiled, we walked into our class and went our separate ways. We haven't really talked since aside from the occasional smile or sigh. But I'm never going to forget what he told me.
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Poems & Short Stories
PoetryThese are all original poems and short stories that I've written. Criticism is definitely welcome and appreciated.
