Over the past few years I’ve been rereading science fiction novels that I read in my teens and twenties. Books by Vonnegut, Heinlein etc. They have been enjoyable but held little resonance for me. Stranger in a Strange Land was a favorite at one time but rereading it I realized it was the magic-thinking aspect that appealed, not the science.
Recently I reread Dune by Frank Herbert. Through the 60’s to early 80’s I belonged to the Science Fiction book club (which eventually added Horror to its title). Dune was one of the books that I got as part of my enrolment offer. It stunned me. I must have read it several times to re-experience the adventure. It was also one of my first fictional crushes – Paul Atreides was hot.
I recall my own world building attempts at the time: creating maps of places, making up language, inventing devices for the people/creatures in worlds – none of which ever progressed into plots or even short stories. The religious underpinning sos the book fascinated me with its witches, orange bibles, quotes from that imaginary scriptural text. The messianic nature of Paul’s mythology – was he the first ‘as the prediction promised’ hero?
Reading it now I am still awestruck by the intricate world building, the complex social & emotional lives the Herbert built. Female characters are as rounded & developed as the male characters. How I would love to have ‘the voice.’ The world building is astounding. New words are introduced in such a way one knows exactly what they are without explanation. I see how this series inspired Star Wars & a hundred of other films.
Unfortunately Dune itself has never been successful made into a film, or mini-series. Attempts have been made but, so far, they have merely captured events without convey the epic scale or emotional complexities of Dune.
Sadly what gay characters there are, are decadent, physically repulsive, and evil. Sigh.
Ingratitude
let me get that for you
I know you can do it yourself
but sometimes it’s nice to help
no no I insist
you deserve to it take it easy
I’ll do everything
like I always do
no insist
it makes me feel so much better
when I do these little things for you
keep you comfortable
helpless
no you aren’t helpless
as long as you have me
to do everything
it’s is my pleasure to help you
you don’t have to worry about a thing
just ask and I’ll be happy to oblige
no no don’t get up
I’ll bring the paper to you
I’ll read it out loud if you want
don’t be silly
I trust you to do things for yourself
but you know
I do them so much better than you
and I don’t mind at all
why fend for yourself
when there is someone
who is so willing so eager
almost indispensable
don’t worry
your pretty little head about anything
save your thinking for important matters
such as what to wear tomorrow
if you don’t like what I’ve picked out
I’ll make sure
you get up on time
you won’t ever be late for anything
as long as you have me
to tend to your needs
I’ll even tend to needs
you didn’t know you had
what’s in it for me
just the joy of being useful
to someone as useless as as you
all you have to be is you
one of those who don’t have to do a thing
let me pamper you
let me walk a mile in your shoes
so you don’t have to
if I could
I would take a dump for you
yes I would
now open up
I’ve cut your meat into little pieces
do want then pre-chewed
I‘ll do what it takes
to keep you in this sweet state of surrender
no i don’t think I control you
you are in control
your ever wish is my desire
merely ask and I’ll do it
I’m that selfless
don’t you know
people will envy you
that you have someone so attentive
so eager to fulfill your commands
to spare you from
having to experience life
in any of its many unpleasant facets
all you have to do is enjoy
being helpless but in control
oh yes you are in control
my happiness depends on yours
I am more capable of making you happy
than you are yourself
admit it
you like not having to be responsible
for your own life
I’ll take the blame
I’ll make all the excuses
it is my joy
my one goal in life
is to make sure
you don’t have to live yours
except as I make it pleasant for you
who could ask for more
if you want more
ask me
really I don’t mind
even if you do mind
I’ll have to insist
ever so gently
relax
stop fighting
you don’t need an identity
when you’ve got me
you don’t even need a purpose
when my own purpose
it to keep you happy
to keep you safe from
purpose of any kind
you don’t even have to be grateful
who could ask for more
every Tuesday 2019
May
Stratford Festival – Henry VIII
July
Stratford Festival – Nathan The Wise
August 2-13: getting back to my roots in Cape Breton 
Hey! Now you can give me $$$ to defray blog fees & buy coffee on my trip to Cape Breton – sweet,eh? paypal.me/TOpoet
September
Shaw Festival – Sex (Mae West)
Stratford Festival – Little Shop Of Horrors
June – Capturing Fire 2020 – Washington D.C. 
capfireslam.org
Hey! Or you can give me $$$ to defray blog fees & buy coffee in Washington at 2020’s capfireslam.org – sweet, eh? paypal.me/TOpoet
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https://www.tumblr.com/blog/topoet
