March 21st, 2026

That trick

We know the trick, we know the secret move. We never forgot it, but we can only deploy it once. Once and the rest of forever, not only for me, but for everyone will it be ruined. A single line, a slight moment and still I can taste the dirt in my mouth. Still I can taste the flesh of the fruit between my teeth. Learn it, do it, time it. Master it and life will be good. You can only do it once. When will you really need it? Something that is once in a lifetime, and you want me to think about it two years ago? Something that can only ever happen once and I fantasize about it all the time. I think about it every time that song comes on. I think about it in my dreams; I think about it before bed; I think about it at the supermarket. I see hundreds of chances to learn the perfect trick. Like a dog if I do it, would you be pleased? Would you even learn anything about me, or would it simply be shameful conduct, tainting the future memory with the lateness of my actions?

A hand moves, a portal opens, and the forbidden fruit falls to the ground.