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the nacirema, circa 2010
by Angela Thomasthe nacirema, circa 2010
a short novella (unfinished)
once upon a time, there was a band of peoples in the northern region of the world known as the nacirema. many members of this society originated from other origins and they were fiercely adherent to the cultural traditions and religions of their respective ancestors. the nacirema lived in turmoil. certain peoples feared for their right to an expressive existence. after time and conflict, the nacirema used various forms of communication and ritual behavioral acts to reflect change in their society.
for a period of time, the nacirema would gather around their elected elders and wave sticks with pieces of clothing lit on fire while chanting. they would form sutubborn ant-like armies and descend on their leaders' homes and places of work, refusing to leave. the leaders became fearful for their own lives, they disappeared into secret rooms together to discuss a magic spell that would aleviate the people's fears and restore peace to the region.
then, the leaders emerged with written spells, in languages so foreign, only they could have been penned with the help of the hand of god. the spells were so complex, there had to be scholarly apprentices that studied them and interpreted their meaning so that the society would understand what forces were upon them. they had casted spells of peace, spells that spoke of friendship and understanding, and a mutual respect for one another as nacirema citizens.
so, the people continued on in friendship, but having lost some of the blood that flowed through the veins of their dramatic cinema, they were restless. then, one of the people found a magical box. this box would allow other people to know his thoughts. all he had to do was touch other much smaller boxes. the word spread quickly about this new invention. soon, all of the people had their own boxes.
there were many other inventions, faster than ever before. there were other big boxes that showed you pictures of people, skinny boxes that captured their voices, and even immovable boxes that floated people from one place to another. there were so many boxes! the people no longer talked to each other, they would stare at the boxes all day long, surrounded by little boxes. wearing boxes made of treated vegetables. they fit very neatly together indeed.
then, one day, there came ... 02/28/2009 Posted on 02/28/2009
Copyright © 2024 Angela Thomas
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Amy Wustrin on 03/01/09 at 01:33 PM I like what you're doing with this a lot. Here's hoping the nacirema aren't distilled to mere legend in the coming installments. There must be a hero left in their ranks. Some face they haven't noticed yet? |
| Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 03/01/09 at 10:13 PM What?! What?! What happens next?!
Actually, in all seriouness, you definitely have my attention here. This is well-written, engaging stuff, and I know I personally would be crazy to say no to more. |
| Posted by Scott Utley on 03/25/09 at 02:44 AM I love this. I read it as a metaphor for the state of our contemporary society. The little boxs are our computers. I want to know who is it that comes too! I am anxiously waiting because I know they are close. |
| Posted by Frank Lee on 06/13/09 at 04:03 PM muy interesante.... |
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