Stories are the most efficient way to transmit thought between people. The essay is nevertheless what I write here. Story is all innocent adventure, pretends pleasure, fascinates through characters. Essay implies purpose, has a job to do. Story is the original indirect attack, denying significance while floating you over the falls. Essay is obvious, demands attention. Story insinuates itself, beckons to the casual listener. Essay hits you on the head, tells you right up front what it wants.
Stories comfortably carry their loads, float them through narrative. Stories situate themselves within life. Essay is immediately present, story is deniably pregnant. Story can be subtle, can disguise discomforting, dangerous thoughts beyond a censor's sensibility. Stories often pretend other purpose. Essay leads with sharp blade and thunder, cuts through objection, seeks to throttle doubt. Stories pretend, meander like old streams oblivious to purpose. Stories are not above flowers and butterflies. Essay scuds along in tight paragraphs fairly bursting with supporting sentences. Essay takes logic's straight path to conclusion. Stories distract, indulge their author's eccentricities, take you by surprise.
So why do I not write stories? Or poetry?
Economical poetry, so much with so few. Blank verse I will venture. Rhyme and meter require real work. Troubadour I am not.
Twitter taught succinctness. The 140 character format favors parsimony. Trim thought's expression to the bone. Comb through tangles, sieve distraction. Render smooth and slippery to the ear. . . .
revised 8-22-17
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