Sᴜɴʀɪsᴇ Oᴀᴛʜ

Experimented and created. Know this, you know who robs you of sight. Meaningless, said the Preacher. Meaningless. There once was an older girl, a younger woman, who saved me. On her good advice, I quit my job. I gave my notice at summer’s end, and Alain set me free from Génoise et Thé. “You can’t be kept, mon gars .” He patted my shoulder, and we shook hands, a parting between men. Waiting outside, Selene took off her sunglasses and dabbed her eyes. I cleaned my room, fussing over details she fixed sooner and better. The curator was a lovely guest, bringing gifts and Charlotte. We were in bright humor from the change in the season, the shift in the wind. I did well as a host, as a man. I shaved my face, brushed my teeth, wore my shirt, and owned my life. At the Old Port, we sat on a bench. She spoke, and I learned. I asked, she asked further. We leaned into mystery, and tackled the snake, fang and venom, as it was. The questions multiplied, as she said they would. Questions — at the ca...

Present. A painting by the love of my dreams. In your possession is a whole bag of gems, more beautiful than anything you ever knew. You want to put them in a place in your life that you would never forget, that will never be taken away. Where do you put them? The foundation of your eternal home. You mix concrete using all the pebbles, sand, and limestone you have on hand. You crush some shells that you had lying around, but had no other use for. You pour the foundation, and then press your gems into this wet creation. Safely embedded, locked in one place. Then you build the rest of your house, with whatever you want. Maybe it is time to fell some trees that are blocking the view of the sun over the sea, of the old port at the mouth of the river. Oh, there was also the lumber from other houses that toppled due to winds blowing across the sands. Soon, you have created a new abode. You put everything you have in this home. This all increases your attachment to the rooms, the walls, the ...

I always loved hoarding cards. Others had Pokémon— I switched to French keyboard just to type that acute accent—while I started with Neopets then moved on to Magic: the Gathering . (Lifelong customer of Wizards of the Coast.) For a long time, I have used cards as analogies for various systems, especially ones with emergent mechanics. Last year, while playing Slay the Spire , I had the realization that even individuals can be modeled as decks. For some reason, this sparked a bunch of insights that eventually let me find God (Praise Lord Christ!) after years away from my faith. It was a revelatory experience, one that came on the tail of much personal upheaval and spiritual transformation. Some people in my rough theological camp think of Magic and roleplaying games as promoting Satanic witchcraft or Gnostic sorcery. I cannot say I do not see the dark power in these systems. Yet, I also intend on fully enjoying the freedom of a believer (see 1 Corinthians), especially when the popular p...