Listeners
Micro-science fiction - a one-minute tale
We stand in the shadows beneath the tower, watching silent as every man of our village is taken up into The Light. They all disappear, quick and soundless. In their place, they leave behind men of their own species.
“What do they want?” we whisper to each other. “Why have they taken our men?” “Or … is it us, the women, that they want?”
The men walk toward us, unsteady, as if testing new legs. They look human. Ultra-human. They greet us gentle. And with slow hands they draw us out into the sunlight. They are … beautiful.
“Who are you?” we ask. “What do you want with us?”
“We are Listeners,” they say. “We’ve come to hear you. Talk to us.”
“Talk? Of what use is women’s talk? It’s the men who do the talking here.”
“Yes, we have long heard the heavy roar of your men, but in all the time of talking, their actions have not been sound. They foster chaos on this planet.
“It's true,” we answer.
“But you have been silent, and it’s now your time to talk. Tell us the truth of what it is to be human and female. And how could women fix this broken world?
We hesitate, skeptical. “No. You’re men. You don’t want our thoughts.”
“We do. Your thoughts, your desires, your dreams. What do you believe? What is important? We can help.”
Casting our doubts aside, each woman chooses one listening man, and they walk off hand in hand. We begin to let our minds be known, we share our ideas for healing the ills of our world. It is our time, and we have nothing to lose.
Thank you
at Dispatches for the use of your curious photo.
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And so they listen to women's thoughts, and dreams, and desires. Then what? Alas, that is the open conundrum of this intriguing story. Another well-crafted picup line, or is there action to come. Our hearts are waiting.
Love, love, love this Sharron.