Psychopomp Magazine Spring 2015 | Page 13

John Colburn | 12

John Colburn

The Story of Eating the King

In this kingdom, the following are considered errors:

Failure to use a king when the world should begin with a king.

Omission of a period of time belonging to a king.

Omission of the king’s name during birth contractions.

Omission of a king who always belongs between you and the world.

Failure to acquire a sense of futility when thinking of the king.

the king and momentary illusion

The king sat under a tree looking at a little round beetle. He hardly heard the queen come by. The king fell asleep on the grass, cupping the beetle in his palm. He lay still and looked very cute.

the king avoids a topic

Everyone in this kingdom has a little book of his or her own in which a record is kept. Each month we must bring an appropriate gift to the king. Instead of respect, we give him money. About this the king says nothing.

the king and the ever-living now

The king jumped up on a table and tried to escape. The queen called it a disgrace. I hear we may have a new king soon. I wonder if he will act with similar selfish abandon.

how to eat a king

When one slices into a king, precision is unimportant. If the king is alive, an anesthetic