Invitations by JR Walsh
The peasants must be watched carefully and protected from themselves. They will be allowed their semi-annual festival. The diseased will be burned, then incorporated into the celebration – maybe the punch, definitely souvenirs. Get a headcount from the turret.
The imported deck chairs have not arrived but renovations continue. The front parlor glistens. It’s now visible from the moat which has been drained.
Hordes are approaching from all directions. Some RSVPd, so they’re cool, provided they bring tribute. Gold is good. Fabergé better. Up-pointing thumbs best fill pockets.
The empty-handed are welcome in our spacious moat where meat never spoils.
january 4th, 2021JR Walsh is the Online Editor at The Citron Review. He has an MFA in Creative Writing from Boise State University, where he now teaches English as a Second Language. His writing is in beloved publications such as New World Writing, Litro, Juked, NUNUM, Hobart, FRiGG, Blink-Ink, Bull, B O D Y, and Esquire. For more: itsjrwalsh.com.