Gary Corseri

Lisa Ferber

A Critical Juncture

A deconstructionist cat made friends with a literary lion.

"But tell me, my friend," said the lion. "Though you have charmed and delighted me these many days, surely you know that turning is my character. Only a fool would blame me if I suddenly devoured you."

The cat became quite pensive. "The long nights we have spoken through, when it seemed our souls had flown together, that no two souls might be closer, do they not assuage your brutal ways? Will nurture never triumph over nature? Are men and beasts condemned always to brutalize and devour, disdain and destroy? In your power, I found my complement; in your courage, my extrapolated will. Have I been a fool, then? Murder me now, for your words have murdered my heart."

Then a pearly tear formed in the eye of the lion. He snuggled closer to his diminutive companion. "Little friend, you misconstrue. I spoke in jest and mere philosophy, in speculation, just to know your mind. In you I have complement indeed. Your cunning has taught me. Your gentleness ennobled me. Let us talk no more of idle things. We are brothers and friends forever."

The lion slept peacefully, dreaming savannas.

That night the cat swallowed him whole.

Gary Corseri has taught in public schools and prisons in the US, and at US and Japanese universities. His articles, fiction, poetry and dramas have appeared at CommonDreams, Dissident Voice, TeleSurtv.net, CounterPunch, The New York Times, Village Voice, Sky, Redbook, Georgia Review, City Lights Review, Atlanta-PBS, and 200 other websites, publications and venues. His books include: Manifestations (an anthology; edited); Holy Grail, Holy Grail (a novel); and Random Descent (poems, Anhinga Press). He can be contacted at: corseri@verizon.net.

All content Š2006 by Ward 6 Review and the individual authors, unless otherwise stated. No content may be reproduced without the consent of the authors.