The Silence Market
The Silence Market
In a world where every digital breakthrough to age-old traditions stood as symbols of our progression, it wasn’t the advancements themselves that captivated us, but the revolution of our words. The "Word Worth" system had turned speech into a valued commodity, where words were traded like stocks and silence became the currency of the wise. Conversations were investments, and every utterance had its calculated return.
Carmen, a Spanish teacher, grappled with the changes around her. Once, the vibrant pulse of her classroom was in harmony with the cadences of Spanish prose and robust debates on Hispanic heritage. But now, the timeless literature of Neruda and Cervantes underwent an almost
clinical examination to optimize verbal economy. The films of Buñuel and Gavaldón became silent pictures. Language, Carmen believed, was not just about the words uttered, but the silences that held them, the emotions they conveyed, and the cultural contexts they anchored.
The "Word Worth" system, an emblem of economic pragmatism, was subtly but surely erasing the nuances of emotional and cultural expression. It prompted Carmen to question a broader, unsettling global trend: Were we trading our rich cultural ties and genuine human bonds for the sake of
quick economic gains? A note one evening unveiled a sanctuary within the city. This refuge celebrated unfettered expression, where silent demonstrations — conveyed through art, dance, and literature — rebuked the mechanical rigor of the prevailing system. This haven stood as a powerful response, highlighting real human connections over mere business-like exchanges.
Collaborating with numerous intellectuals and artists, Carmen curated silent Spanish lessons. Employing gestures and visual arts, they delved into the socio-economic ramifications of linguistic currency. Their efforts aimed to explore how society's values were changing, pushing aside deep cultural conversations for the sake of bare-bones efficiency. The undercurrents of this movement resonated globally. The main point of their discussion: Were modern economies focused only on numbers, forgetting the things that make us truly human? Was the weave of community dynamics unraveling due to the cold, deterministic approach of economic reasoning?
As the story unfolded, the city began to reconsider its "Word Worth" rules. Yet, beyond the confines of the city, the story's deeper meaning and powerful messages reached people everywhere, prompting reflection and sparking conversations on a global scale. It urged society to think deeply, finding a balance between constant economic growth and the enduring value of shared stories and human connections. Carmen's new way of teaching reminded everyone of the importance of holding onto our language and culture, even in a fast-moving world.
The Voice
September 2023
Happiness
I have come to realize that the most tender thing is not pain, but happiness. So random, so elusive, an intangible wisp in the void. I can't control how long it stays, before it leaves, like the foggy...
Walks in the Rain
Sometimes I go on walks in the rain. I don't bring an umbrella or rain coat. Sometimes, I don't even wear shoes. I like to feel the rain drops trickle down my hair. I like the splashes of rain on my s...
Cowboy, Come Home
He is a toy cowboy on a horse and is dragged off into the sunset while my stuffed bunny heart waits in the backdrop to be held. Our God is the small Girl who hides under beds when yelling strikes. Wh...
A Forever of Tomorrows
Never forget this moment my child, the moment you began to feel. The moment you first felt alive. It was night, and you felt the burden of the world on your shoulders, But the horizon at your fingert...
an apple shared at the end of the world
we watched the world end from the top of skyscrapers as the stars set the sea aflame as highways gave way to yawning mouths as kudzu devoured what was left of our neighborhoods and you pulled out the ...
The Silence Market
In a world where every digital breakthrough to age-old traditions stood as symbols of our progression, it wasn’t the advancements themselves that captivated us, but the revolution of our words. The "W...
The Stories in Lines
In each person, there’s a story, one you may or may not know, but in every person, there are hints of their long story, such as in their beauty. Around their mouth, some may have lines, showing the sm...
Me
I have always been quiet. And yet when I was younger, I would wear loud outfits, sing and dance no matter who was around. I played with dolls longer then most girls my age. When I found out that the o...
1st day of school
"Tomorrow is a new day, with no mistakes in it yet." ~ L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green GablesToday was hot and muggy, and only one classroom had a fan. Our stupid air-conditioning-less school. I could ...
Ocean
There are miles of it, so much so, that the human eye can’t capture it all. Its blue hues are grasped from the sky, and when the sky changes color; so does the sea. It can be cold or warm. Quiet or lo...
Teenager
Maybe being a teenager is just a con stant state of panic.