“Muse” © Tim
Barker, 1998
Written @ “The
Pelicans” (26/10/98).
The music eased itself into it’s own cultural niche. At first it glimpsed reality through the speakers of an unsuspecting youth’s computer. Some blame the computers for nurturing the childlike cultural virus yet others blame the Internet for spawning the satanic sounds. Whatever the origin it was certain that forces from beyond the world which most of us inhabit were gathering in an aural onslaught.
Jim, like most of humankind, hadn’t noticed at first yet eventually some subconscious thought had emerged and trickled into his everyday existence. This thought at first simply said “Watch out !”. As time passed by more thoughts joined this embryonic representative until the balance was tipped and an avalanche occurred in Jim’s mind. He was eating rice pudding and jam at the time. As the jam mixed with the sticky, milky rice Jim became aware of an almost inaudible, totally inappropriate sound. Indescribable yet effective, the sound seemed to lull Jim into a sense of passiveness. He suddenly noticed that he had been stirring the mixture for well over 10 minutes. He reached for a knife and hacked off his ears. Blood blended with the jam, becoming indistinguishable. Jim picked up his spoon and continued eating. In the distance could be heard a cacophonous assemblage of assorted sirens. It was all music to Jim’s amputated ears.