Why Cacti Don't Love
For Jordan
Why Cacti Don't Love.
I need a drink.
There's an old saying about camels: they can go for days without water because of internal reserves. What they don't tell you is that when you finally get the camel to water, it will drink anything it can find, drain an oasis to dry sand.
I've been in this terrarium for longer than days, no company but the sound of Ursula reading to us.
Ursula, blond, teutonic, last name like a stuttgart butcher yelling at a stray dog.. She was studying the effects of different voice patterns on certain forms of carnivorous cacti. To one tank, she spoke with clear hatred, to another with distinct indifference. To me, however, she spoke with nothing but love.
She didn't know that I wasn't like her other specimens, that the lab brought in something destined for a much higher security clearance. She just went about her simple research, and today made the mistake of reaching into the tank to stroke her beloved cactus.
A sharp, hollow quill entered her finger, barbs kept it in place until all the blood was drained.
She hit the floor. I'm larger now, more lush and verdant.
And still thirsty.
Why Cacti Don't Love.
I need a drink.
There's an old saying about camels: they can go for days without water because of internal reserves. What they don't tell you is that when you finally get the camel to water, it will drink anything it can find, drain an oasis to dry sand.
I've been in this terrarium for longer than days, no company but the sound of Ursula reading to us.
Ursula, blond, teutonic, last name like a stuttgart butcher yelling at a stray dog.. She was studying the effects of different voice patterns on certain forms of carnivorous cacti. To one tank, she spoke with clear hatred, to another with distinct indifference. To me, however, she spoke with nothing but love.
She didn't know that I wasn't like her other specimens, that the lab brought in something destined for a much higher security clearance. She just went about her simple research, and today made the mistake of reaching into the tank to stroke her beloved cactus.
A sharp, hollow quill entered her finger, barbs kept it in place until all the blood was drained.
She hit the floor. I'm larger now, more lush and verdant.
And still thirsty.