Letters From Chaos

[Catherine Rivet]

Letters is an ongoing series of free-verse poetry snippets. From the POV of Ian Baraati, of Chaos Rising fame, they give a unique perspective on his conflict with John Corsica, Omega's 'mad scientist' on the ethics of his work and its ramifications.

Snippets follow in no particular order.

[Catherine Rivet]

Chaos—
a place,
a time,
a person—
agonizing moments
on that knife edge of danger
when escape is impossible ,
when there's nowhere left to run from the danger but
to it
Chaos—
a man,
a moment,
a mystery—
a point in time where there's no turning back,
only going on ahead
with only something
far worse
in store.
Chaos.
the moment, the mystery,
and
the man

[Catherine Rivet]

On the far side of the world sits an island.
An island
where Chaos has free reign,
An island where disaster is waiting to happen.
And all the world can visit…
for a price.
For a price,
a man can watch his own downfall,
can destroy himself with his own power.
For a man's power created this place,
but no man could tame it.
For what man can play God,
can create such wonders,
And not destroy himself?
Many a man has tried…
and died.
And taken the innocent along with him…

[Catherine Rivet]

Standing borderline
between two Worlds,
He waits in Silence
Dark mist of Emerald Evanescence
behind Golden Glory
and ahead,
Cerulean Sea.
And lurking Somewhere,
the Shadow of Disaster
Both
balanced
on the Knife Edge of Danger

[Catherine Rivet]

There is a place
at the edge of the world
where the impossible happens
and dreams really come true
where the knife edge of danger is
ever present
and the wild side
is merely another world
to those who find solace in it

[Catherine Rivet]

Nobody listened to me, you know.
No one ever has.
Why did I think this time would be different?
It is, what never should have been,
for sake of science and stubborn pride!
Don't they see?
No. I can answer my own question.
The balance destroyed, and for what?
What have they proved,
but what they can do, though they should not?
For that, they cannot leave this place
'till death claim them; the risk otherwise
is too great.
So tell me, John:
What now?

[Catherine Rivet]

Isn't it about time someone listened?
I’m tired of always being right,
because no one ever cares.
Pleasure takes precedence over need,
thintelligence, over knowledge.
Isn't it time everyone wakes up
and sees what the world is coming to?

[Catherine Rivet]

My god!
What have you done this time?
John?
Another project, you say? You're kidding.
Right?
John?
Come back, you say? You must be crazy!
I still haven’t recovered from what happened the last time!
No more consultancies, I say!
Why waste my time when you won't listen to a word I say?
Another worker, dead? Big deal!
The last time, John that was nearly me.
I told you. He told you. She told you. Many times.
What now, you ask. It's your game now, John.
Let me know when to expect to not attend your funeral.

Chaos

[Catherine Rivet]

Why me? Why do I always get stuck with the jobs that no one wants?
Why am I the one they ask to waste his time when they want advice that no one will pay attention to?

What have I done to deserve this, working in conditions that've
killed better men than me?
My contract entailed none of this, and I’m fed up with it!

Thank you, John, for the wonderful weekend,
but I’m still recommending that corporate cut your funding…
Or better yet, throw you in jail.

Chaos

[Catherine Rivet]

Didn't you know, John?
Couldn't you tell?
I thought I made my wishes quite clear:
that you were not to proceed
with that project.

I predicted, no, calculated this.
And did you listen?
No!

Enough is enough, John.
People are dying because you
were too proud to take some sane advice.

Thanks for listening.

Chaos

[Catherine Rivet]

Silence.
Night falls softly on the waiting world
Smothering wild islands in darkness:
Islands where danger runs free, and disaster
is waiting to happen.

Chaos.
The fury of nature is unleashed
Against the man who created it,
lashing out at all who interfere.
It is beyond our comprehension.
I warned you, john, that this couldn't possibly work.
Why didn't you listen?

Though I said I wouldn't say it...
I told you so.

Chaos