Laws and Machines

If Earth knew that laws were made to be broken, she wouldn’t have made so many.

When I asked her why I had to stay, she replied, rather abruptly, “Gravity.” The better thing for her to say would have been: “Because I love you.” But don’t mention this to her, as she doesn’t like to be corrected.

I ignored her rules (as all good children do) and created inclined planes and pulleys in an attempt to defy gravity. I climbed the rope ladder into my tree fort and hoisted my friends upwards with a makeshift elevator. Together, we hid from Earth, reveling in our cleverness as apples fell beneath our feet.

A little while later, we got hungry and came down.

Don’t mention that it’s getting warmer here, either. She knows. If you can, try not to sweat; it only embarrasses her more. I offered to help her, but she refused to change her laws. She said that changing laws is against one of her laws. I explained circular reasoning to her, and that’s when she got very hot, so I decided to focus on electric cars instead.

When I became older, (growing old is another law earth regrets) I searched for new ways to escape and eventually learned to fly. I rose higher and higher until I reached a place called space, and although I invited friends, I didn’t revel this time.

We were quieter now.

As I took in the great, black expanse, I felt like a child again: small and lonely. I heard her voice saying, “You should have stayed.” I ignored it. I don’t like to be corrected. She doesn’t know me. I’m free.

A little while later, I got hungry and came down.