Parts of Penitence

by Colin Younkin

You are standing at the base of oblivion, staring all your past indiscretions in the face and forgetting all your inhibitions in order to make future indiscretions. All that has passed is biting your ankles; all that is, is standing in the corner coyly observing the situation; and all that is to come is probably going to show up late. In other words, you are in Hell, eating at a McDonald's, and wondering why you never tell them to hold the pickles and mustard.

A bird flies in through the window singing classic Beatles' songs. He flutters over to your table and eats a sesame seed off of your hamburger. Choking on the seed, the bird will surely die there on the table. But before he does, what does he say?

"I saw a movie the other day. Wanna know what I thought about it?"

"Why should we look at pictures of people we don't even know?"

"What is the meaning of life?"

"How much time should I spend on the Internet?"

"Wanna see something funny?"

"How can I speak if I'm choking on a sesame seed?"