This is a first draft excerpt from my novel-in-progress - entitled Dispatches from an American Battlefield. It's a political satire, a theological critique, and a dystopian autofiction in a style blending William Burroughs' cut-up/fold in technique (with somewhat more coherence) and elements of PKD inspired paranoia, exploring existential / absurdist themes. Something like a broken, religious Vonnegut - but not quite. Part Charles Bukowski, part John Prine (both USPS letter carriers like the narrator). It's part pastoral reflection, part political pamphleteer.
The Americhimera
I saw it in a dream – or a vision by night – but I saw it with my own true eyes. The four winds of heaven were stirring up the seas, and there it came before me, beside the river, a ram like a goat, that was a lion with eagle wings and serpent tail. The Americhimera. Pushing westward, northward, southward in its ever expanding manifest destiny. She went where she would. She did what she pleased and became strong. Strong but never great.
Rushing on her enemies. Ruled by rebellion. Paralyzed by elite luxury. Thus it is with the wicked. Subduing nations, turning them to dust with her sword. Unscathed on a path untravelled in time. Easy. Motion generating attention and reality. He who has ears to hear, let him hear – when you know you simply know.
And this beast was told, “Arise, devour the poor. Kill innocent people. Start many wars.”
And this she did.
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