The grass was crunchy. The soil was hard and had wide cracks. It had been dry for a long time. Dry where the corn dust makes you sneeze. Dry where the ponds become pot holes. The leaves fall early due to a lack of incentive. We heard thunder this morning. It was like a dream. It had been a long time. Headaches from the dust. The little tree needs water. We rely on the refreshment of aqua. We are primarily water.

Fall Rains are coming. Our faces to the sky. Our tongues outstretched. Anticipation is glorious. We need watering. Life has been dry, and the rocks are in the tillable soil. Thorns and thistles instead of roses and lilacs. Some say that survival of the fittest is a concept until time and chance make them unfit. Then they cry for rain and a second chance. There is fire on the mountain. The red glow lights the city below. There is no rain, the people cried. The dust is in our throats, the hot embers burn our feet. The baby has no milk. There are no apples nor pears. The oranges do not yield their juice. The Peacemaker King’s message is no longer trumpeted. ‘Give us Barabas,’ the people cried!

‘Perhaps we should give the homeless lethal injections,’ the Newscaster suggested.

‘Free Speech is what I say it is,’ the Emperor said. ‘What I do is in the interest of the American People,’ the Emperor said. ‘Soon I will control all things,’ the Emperor noted with a little dance. ‘If you speak against me, you will pay,’ the Emperor vowed.

It was so dry, and the dust of discontent spread. The people tried to speak, but only dust came out of their mouths. They feared their water being rashioned. After all, they were in a drought. They had already given up much water and had little to spare. They whispered in corners in the shadows. Who knew where the Emperor’s anger would take them? Those who had protected their money were broke. Little tornadoes cascaded through Wall Street around the Precious Bull. There were tumbleweeds and dust so thick you could not leave your home without a mask over your mouth and nose. People coughed incessantly. Once they had the power to speak, now it took all of their power to breathe.