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).​

Human life evolving through time

​Human life has changed over time.  This change is drastic in every sense of the word.  The human life is definitely bizarre in appearance.
                It is 3000 AD.  Humans are now breathing through their ears.  The only speak when they look in the direction of someone.  They speak through their vision. 
                Human life changes all of the time.  However, these changes have taken place this time in the future.  It will be interesting to see such life interact with each other during this period of time. 
                Imagine humans having these physical characteristics.  Human life always evolves as time continues to pass by.
                There is nothing one can do about changes.  Changes happen in technology as well as human life.  This is just the way the world evolves. 
                This world has changed for the better.  Wars have plagued the planet Earth for many years and humans needed a new way to exist.
                War is not a pleasant concept to deal with.  However, these experiences happened a lot in the later 2000’s AD to 3000 AD. 
                Serenity will take place in 3000 AD.  This comes along with a lot of changes within the human race.
                The human race will continue to thrive.  However, they will use their vision to talk and their ears to breathe. 
                This unique world known as planet Earth will change for the better.  Wars during this period of time will not exist. 
                Happiness will exist in people’s lives more often.  The government will strictly be for the people and to help out others more often. 
                These changes in surroundings will be great for planet Earth.  However, human life will exist in different ways.
                Planet Earth is a unique world in its own right.  However, in 3000 AD these changes in appearance will be felt by all and that is the way life will be as time continues to pass by. 
                The human race has always been difficult to understand.  So many people in this world have different viewpoints on life.
                3000 AD is such a long time away.  Could the human race change such drastically in physical appearance?  This is a question one should think about.  Humans are more sophisticated now than they were many hundreds of years ago.  Technology is at the forefront and the human race continues to grow at such an alarming rate. 
                We don’t know what really happens to life in such a long period of time.  I will not be around to see these occurrences.
                All anyone can do is have an open mind.  The human race is very sophisticated and complex and only the future really has such answers. 
                Now is the time for this race to explore the world.  It is now 3000 AD.  The human race is in existence and there is nothing else to do.
                The human race is building an entirely new empire from the one before it.  It is stressing pacifism amongst its race of people all around the world. 
                What will come of this new empire?  What will happen to the human race with new emphasis of total pacifism?
                Only time will tell during this period in the future.  The future will continue to exist and it will change.  The only question can people change for the better. 
                As you know, societies have changed in history.  This has happened in the past and even now in the present.
                The concept of war is huge in history and even now.  We live in a world that is hostile and really cares only about themselves and not one another.  Could this new race of people change this phenomenon?  Only time will tell. 
                These are only extrapolations to the future in 3000 AD.  For now, live life as it is.  This is all that you can do.
                The future will be here before you know it.  You will age another year.  The human race will adapt to the year 3000 AD.  Whether there will be pacifism during this time is left up to debate.  However, for now try to make this planet a better world.  Make this planet a place that will bring our future a new and better beginning.  Take care and keep an open mind as time passes us and the world’s status will be heard for years to come. 
 
 

​Constant darkness that is engulfed on planet Earth

​Planet Earth has had a lot of problems of late.  This one situation is about how this world has been covered in complete darkness.
                Planet Earth has had a massive war with Saturn.  Saturn won the war and has casted total darkness on Earth.  This is obviously devastating to the people on this planet.
                The only way normalcy can be brought back to Earth is if the Earthlings allow Saturn to have control of finances on Earth.  Saturn is noted as a frugal planet.  Saturn does not like how Earthlings spend so much money on pointless things.
                Planet Earth is willing to try this change.  It will affect many people on Earth, but Earthlings need to have sunlight again.  They need to have their way of life back to them.
                The darkness scenario has lasted too long on Earth.  The people of Earth want this change to take place.  This is something that needs to happen.
                The ambassador of armed forces is now willing to discuss this change with Saturn.  They want humans to have their lives back to normal and that means see sunlight again.
                Saturn feels the need to change Earth.  They also believe that frugality will help with Earth’s enormous debt as well.  Earth needs to be more practical with its money.
                The meeting of the two heads of each planet will meet tomorrow.  Planet Earth needs to have light in its domain.
                Planet Saturn wants Earth to be happy again.  This is how it will be when they agree upon the concept Saturn wants Earth to follow.
                Planet Earth is ready to see Saturn and end this lack of light.  The civilians on Earth want this change to take place.
                Frugality is hard for many people to follow.  However, this needs to be followed for Saturn to return light back to Earth.
                The next day has arrived and Earth will meet with Saturn today.  The rulers from Saturn have traveled to Earth via warp speed for this meeting.
                The meeting will be held at the White House in Washington, DC.  The meeting will be long and intense in nature.
                The rulers from Saturn should arrive on Earth very soon.  It is important for everyone to meet and make sure the lights do exist again for Earth.
                As time passed, the rulers of both planets came to an agreement.  They followed the frugal agreement.
                Planet Earth became more aware of spending.  They are now a better world because of this and spending has gone down a lot.  The overall deficit is not as great as well.
                Planet Earth feels better as a world.  They have their light back and the darkness was lifted from its world as well.
                Time will continue forward in a positive way for both Saturn and Earth.  This is how it will be for time everlasting.  The agreement has worked, and time will continue forward in a positive way every step of the way.  This is all anyone can ask for and hope for no matter what the situation from here on out.

​An Adventure with time travel in the mix

Beyond the cracked sidewalk, and the telephone pole with layers of flyers in a rainbow of colors, and the patch of dry brown grass there stood a ten-foot high concrete block wall, caked with dozens of coats of paint. There was a small shrine at the foot of it, with burnt out candles and dead flowers and a few soggy teddy bears. One word of graffiti filled the wall, red letters on a gold background: Rejoice!
                This is how goodness can be felt.  There was something positive that happened that led to such a word be highlighted this way.  This is what this can mean and feel to anyone involved.  This is the way it is.
                Contentment of any kind is hard to find in our world.  Society today is full of unpredictability and this can befuddle and baffled many of us.  This is how they can be, and events can turn out in such a way.
                People come in all shapes and sizes and beliefs.  This what makes the world interesting and hard to predict and even understand.  This can lead to any interpretations and as time passes people are led to go in any direction with such beliefs at hand.
                What can be imagined with such a word?  Rejoice can mean so many different things to different people.  This is how it is and will continue to be.  Rejoice is a powerful word and it can affect people in different ways at different times.
                This time period can be known as a time of change.  What else can be said of it with such a belief or interpretation?  Change depends on the person at hand or the people who want such an event to happen to them.  This is how it can be in general.             
                There is an amusement park nearby where various ride and attractions exist.  It is a time to rejoice and have fun as well.  People from all over are coming to it.  They love to escape and enjoy the rides and the refreshments that are sold in the concession stands
                This woman drove herself to this amusement park in her fast and versatile car.  She will reach this amusement park soon.  She is excited about her time alone and wants to see people and be near the rides and use them.
                The people attending this amusement park are coming in droves.  She will go here alone and just have fun the best way she knows possible.  This would make her life feel complete now.  This is what she really wants to do.
                She is ready to have fun and enjoy her day today.  She has a youthful disposition in life.  This makes her feel good.  She cannot wait to use the rides and enjoy the food here.  This would make her thrilled beyond all belief.
                She is single and unattached.  She feels free and happy at amusement parks.  Today will be no exception.  She has wanted to do this for a long time.  Today is the perfect day for her to do this.  She feels content.
                Having fun depends on people.  This woman knows how to have fun alone and enjoy life all that she can.  Her marriage was on the rocks for years and she is divorced.  She wants to have time alone and just recharge her batteries and have fun today.
                This is how she feels about her life and will continue this way.  However, having too much fun can be detrimental.  This varies from person to person in life.  She wants to have a great day today.  This would mean a lot to her.
                She is driving to the amusement park now.  She should be there in a short period of time.  She is making great timing.  She does not want to stop driving.  She is excited and relieved all at once.  She has worked a lot and needs this time to herself and unwind.
                It is a beautiful to be at the amusement park.  The sun is shining and there are no clouds in the sky.  It is a day for her to just be herself and unwind.  There is a breeze in the air, and this should be refreshing for her as well.
                The day progressed quickly for her.  She had a blast on the rides and alcohol to drink.  She was able to get in her car and drive.  She left the amusement park and was happy with how her day went.  She had a blast, and this meant the world to her.
                She was able to drive and go about safely.  However, she managed to find a place that she was not familiar with.  She managed to drive into a part of town she was not too familiar with and she drove into a garage in town.
                She drove into part of town that was not familiar to her.  She did not harm anyone or get into any auto accident.  She was driving with caution and kept going.  Her judgment was impaired a little by the alcohol she drank.  However, she did pull into a garage area for her own safety.
                She went into this garage area.  Then she parked her car and then as she left it to walk, she passed out.  She was found by a kid and she was carried by him.  This kid aged 16, was strong and built in size.
When the ride ended, she was lifted again. The kid slid her body onto a soft pile of clothing among the boxes in the garage. He pulled an old coat over the top, creating a cave that emanated the sweetness of old ladies who frequently powdered themselves—a light rose motif that played ironically well in the deep recesses of Rainbow’s ancestral brain. The pizza kid lifted her head to help her lap water from a hubcap. He broke bits of pepperoni and crust into bite-sized pieces and left them where her tongue could reach them. Much later, she heard him practicing his orations like songs. Like monks chanting in the distance, they were a comfort.
After some time had passed, she came to.  She could hear singing in the distance.  The pizza and pepperoni pieces came off her when she awoke.  This was a unique and bizarre feeling to her.  This is how it was for her now.
She wondered where she could be.  She did drink a lot at the amusement park but managed to be elsewhere in town.  This whole experience for her was weird and bizarre all wrapped into one.  This is the way it was for her as well.
She saw this sixteen-year old kid singing.  She managed to get up and walked toward him.  The sounds he was making through singing really interested her.  They peaked her interests.  She listened into him very clearly.  This is how it was for her.
She walked over to him and asked him what he was doing.  “I am practicing orations, it may sound like singing, but this is how they go,” responded the sixteen-year old.  His voice sounded loud but in pitch while he sang.
The two talked for a while.  He said to her that he saw her on the ground.  She told him about her day at the amusement park and had a little too much to drink.  She has a blast at the amusement park.
The woman feels better now and the sixteen-year old told her he had to leave.  He has more work to do on his pizza route.  He wants to get back to work and he enjoyed speaking with her.  She is ready to leave her as well.
The two enjoyed speaking with one another but he is happy to see her up and about.  She thanked him for comforting her when she was drunk.  She feels a lot better and is ready to leave this garage.  She wants to go home.
This woman goes back to her car.  She feels more alert and cannot wait to leave here and go home.  She is glad she is up and about and wants to leave this garage.  She must have been feeling too buzzed to make it home and decided to here where it was safe for her.
The sixteen-year old goes back to his pizza truck and will leave the garage as well.  He will go back to delivering pizzas.  They both go their separate ways and will now leave this garage.  They leave at different times. 
It is still quiet outside.  It is dark and there is full moon in the clear sky above.  The woman will leave this garage soon.  She walks toward her car and goes near and then gets inside.  She feels capable enough to drive.  She is alert.
The woman has now gotten into her car.  She then turns on the ignition and will now leave this garage.  She then pulls her car out of a parking space and then will now leave the garage.  She is out of the garage now.
The sixteen-year old has since left and is back on the road delivering pizzas.  He is long gone.  He is happy to be out on the road and doing his job.  This means a lot to him now.
The woman now pulls out of the garage and goes onto the road again.  She has an idea of where she is.  She is safely on the road and driving.  She feels happy and is thrilled to be safe.  This means the world to her.
She will now head home.  However, as she does this, she notices something changes before her.  Her world around is starting to look different.  She can really place a finger on what is happening to the area around her.  It is unique.
She is now traveling in time.  She no longer is in the present.  She has traveled back in time to 1975.  Everything looks so different to her.  It feels as though she has gone into the past.  This really is baffling and stranger to her.
She knows she is alert and sober.  However, she looks around and it seems so different to her.  She sees a sign that reads 1975 as the date.  1975 was a long time ago.  She is amazed that she is time traveling.
She cannot believe she is this far into the past.  This was even a time before she was born.  This is captivating to her.  Time travel is unique and is opening her mind.  She loves to have an open mind at hand.
This woman does not know it, but she will travel back to the present shortly.  This is just a temporary glitch in her life right now.  This is something that she wants to explore and see what happens.  The drive continues.
She is happy to be in a different time period.  Time travel has always appealed to her and this happening to her right now.  She is in a time period she has never been a part of.  This is amazing to her.
She wonders how she has traveled to the past.  It is forty years into it.  This is baffling and exciting to her.  She continues forward with her ride in town and keeps an open mind of events that have taken place here even before she was born.
The orations she heard caused to this happen when the sixteen-year old chanted.  This was a spell placed on her while she was asleep on the ground briefly.  She was not harmed when the spell was placed on her.
Again, this will wear off soon and she has nothing to worry about.  She is safe and continues her way down the road.  She feels great and the alcohol has worn off.  This means a lot to her and she keeps driving at a consistent pace with regards to the speed limit.
It is dusk now this time in the future.  The town she is used to is now vacant because it is the start of subdivisions being built here.  New neighborhoods are being developed and this can be seen by this woman as she continues to drive down the road.
After some time, she decides to pull into a coffee shop.  She wants to clear her head and have a cup of coffee and a bagel and cream cheese.  It has been a while since she has had a bagel and cream cheese with coffee.
She is happy to see this coffee shop.  She wants to relax her mind.  She still cannot believe she has traveled this far into the past.  She is in 1975 and this amazes her a lot.  She is in the past.
She finds a place to park.  She is the only one here now.  This makes her feel good.  She parks her car.  Then turns it off.  She will then leave her car and go inside this coffee shop.  This coffee shop is open twenty-four hours a day.
It is now night outside.  It is a warm night because it is in the middle of summer here during this time in the past in her hometown.  She sees that this coffee shop is quiet, and this makes her feel happy.
She went inside the coffee shop.  She got a coffee and bagel with cream cheese.  She sat at the counter to relax.  This helped greatly.  After some time, she went back to her car and then some happened when she drove.
When she got into her car and drove it, she went back on the road and then she went back into the present.  Everything looked familiar to her.  She continued her way home.  She is safe and will reach home soon.
Everything stayed great for her.  She had quite the adventure today and she is happy to be home now.  She feels great and this adventure is something she never forget for as long as she lives.  This is how she feels, and this memory will linger on.
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