KEITH BURKHOLDER - SHORT-STORIES

​Keith Burkholder has been published in Creative Juices, Sol Magazine, Trellis Magazine, Foliate Oak Literary Journal, New Delta Review, Poetry Quarterly, Scarlet Leaf Review, and Birmingham Arts Journal.  He has a bachelor's degree in statistics with a minor in mathematics from SUNY at Buffalo (UB).​

​The Invisible Planet in our great universe

​There is this one planet in the solar system that is invisible to the naked eye.  It located between Earth and Mars.
                This planet has not been in existence for the length of time as the other planets.  However, it is a place where goodness reigns supreme.
                People from this world love to see other planets.  They love to interact with them and try to maintain good relations.  However, no one can come to their world because it is invisible.  It wants to remain this way to maintain a place without destruction or wars.  Maybe one day their mode of thought will change, but for it will continue to be invisible.
                This planet may someday make itself visible.  However, now it wants to remain the way it is now.
                This planet is a place where there is no destruction.  The people here want their world to remain good and stay that way as well.
                This is the only invisible planet in the solar system.  It goes around the sun like the rest of the planets.
                The solar system varies in planets and their sizes.  The planets also vary in personality and views as well.
                No one should be afraid of the beings that come from this invisible world.  They are friendly and love to have peace around them whenever possible.
                The life from this world is amazed at how much tension and destruction that occurs on planet Earth.  However, planet Earth also has peace loving individuals as well.
                This invisible world will continue as it is.  It is a place that may open its world to other visitors but in the meantime it will remain invisible.
                The other planets respect its privacy and how it functions in the solar system.  Again, the beings from this planet will always be friendly and peace loving.
                There is nothing more to say about this world.  It is a place that is different than other planets and that is a great thing to this world.
                Time will continue forward, and this planet will continue to exist as it is.  Take care now and respect this world all you can as time continues the future calls us with its beckoning call.
 
 

​A place in the solar system where mental illness does not exist and goodness thrives

​Depression is a common ailment on planet Earth.  Also, other forms of mental illness exist on the planet as well.
                Imagine living on a planet where none of that exists.  A place where goodness and happiness are constant realities.
                This planet in the solar system is a breath of fresh air.  There are tons of people on planet Earth who suffer from mental illness.
                I, the author, do not believe in God, I am an atheist.  However, this planet I am talking about has a God who does things for people on that planet.
                This planet has been in the solar system for a short period of time.  However, no one has bad karma toward it.
                Goodness is what this planet wants.  Bad people from Earth and other planets do not stay long.  The goodness theory is something that repels them from staying in this world.
                Good people love this world.  There are no threats of violence and war here.  People can feel relaxed and open in their minds.
                Planet Earth will always be a place filled with war and destruction.  It is not a place where peace and serenity last too long.
                I hope this planet continues to spread goodness.  It is the only planet where goodness is enforced completely.  I wish anyone good harmony if they live or visit this world.  Goodness is powerful and more enjoyable to most people than evil will ever be.

​Being in the body of a Great White Shark

​This midget was scuba diving alone in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Fiji when a great white shark swam near him.  He did what he could to avoid him.
                However, in the process he was swallowed by the shark but was still alive inside of it.  He could not believe this happened to him.  Then while in his stomach he disappeared and reappeared in a universe he had never experienced before.
                This midget did not get bitten at all by the shark.  He was swallowed by him and ended in this new universe.
                He is up from the ground and looks around him.  He cannot believe he is here and wonders where he is now.  Oxygen is the main form of gas that he is breathing.
                This midget is amazed he is alive but is grateful to be anywhere.  The world he is a part of now is far removed from Earth.
                He is walking around and looks to the sky.  It is a crystal blue sky with no clouds in sight.  He now walks and sees a road ahead.
                This midget did experience better things in this world.  He does not want to leave this world.  He has met beings he would never see or experience on Earth.
                This midget came across centaurs, pixies, angels, and fairies.  He even met a few unicorns while in this world.
                The whole experience here mesmerized him greatly.  He even ate food that tasted so good it was unforgettable.
                He will stay here and will not head back to Earth.  He can always go back to Earth, but this world means the world to him.
                I wish him well because he is still alive and is enjoying life here in this world.  Take care and may your life get better as the days, months and years pass by.
 

​She can walk on water

​ Religious people believe that Jesus was able to walk on water.  However, Suzanne can do this on planet Earth in today’s world.
                One day she was swimming in the ocean.  She found herself caught in a rip current.  She thought she was about to drown when a force lifted on top of the way.  She was able to get up and walk on water.
                There is no way Suzanne thought this would happen to her.  However, it did happen to her and she was thrilled by it.
                She walks on water whenever she can.  People have seen her do it and it amazes them to no end.  One time at the beach this happened, and an older woman feinted when she saw Suzanne walking on top of the water.
                Suzanne has never been a religious person.  She is an atheist, but this talent she now possesses makes her realize that something out there loves her a lot.
                People are hard to understand in our world.  However, having a great talent like this can open one’s mind to newer horizons.
                What does the future hold for Suzanne?  It seems it will be a bright one based on her experiences with the water.  Enjoy this talent, Suzanne, and may brighter days come ahead as time passes forward.

The Evolution of a new planet in our solar system

​ This new planet has evolved in our solar system.  Other life that has been exploring the solar system has now arrived there.
                This new species can breathe in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide.  This is how humans breathe and live on planet Earth.
                The planet will be encountered by other life in the solar system.  This is a planet that will evolve over time.
                The solar system in general evolves.  This is no different with this new planet.  Other life should be happy that they can live in a new world.
                The life that has landed on this planet is here.  They are glad to be on this planet and start their lives fresh as well.
                There are people who love change.  This planet will bring such changes and these people can believe in change because it may do them better than bad.
                All one can do is hope for the best in this new world.  It has yet to be named by scientists.  It is still evolving as a planet.
                The solar system still has much mystery.  This planet and the other planets will keep be known as the future continues.  As time passes, keep an open mind because that allows you to learn all that you can on a topic in our world in general.