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On the surface at least it feels as if the modern world is moving faster and faster. Work and time combine to place us with faceless multitudes for the majority and leave the minority a scant time to cram memories into the pause. The price of progress is both a truth and a lie. The phrase dances in gray to a tune obsessed with black and white. You’re either with us or against us are the sharp-edged lyrics. The authors of this song never believed it from the start but the fans make up for its disingenuous nature.

They whirl and twist about with each step adding to their frenzy. They must show others what ought to be realized. Some convulse and collapse under the strain but most press on. Trapped in the spotlight, chained to the stage by exhaustion, delirium, and desire, the contest continues.

Those on the sidelines marvel and do wonder at the spectacle but, lost in their own conclusions they are unaware that the arena moves on despite them

Maybe its always been this way. The window of tech at any instant shows us the movements of the world so it appears as if we are going faster and faster. Visibility makes real the notion of reaching that bright center around which we are spiralling inevitably into.

If we take a little step away and look back, we will see that the world always moved. We have the chance to realize that the dancers have changed costume and a few of the steps, but, the figure inside that drives the whole has never changed.

ERIC WILLIAMS

Sandpoint