{"id":530,"date":"2021-04-15T19:07:23","date_gmt":"2021-04-15T19:07:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english.illinoisstate.edu\/euphemism\/16-2\/?page_id=530"},"modified":"2021-04-28T23:54:30","modified_gmt":"2021-04-28T23:54:30","slug":"the-editor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/16-2\/the-editor\/","title":{"rendered":"THE EDITOR"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
Chris Skiles<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

IT was a pipingly hot,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Yet rainy day. The intern<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Looking down sheepishly, first<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

At his watch, then the editor\u2019s clock<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Began to think of his wife<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

And newfound baby,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Born ona day, not quite<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

So rainy. The intern looked at the editor<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In slick, merino slacks<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

And a white silk shirt.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The day had been a long one,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

And, the intern, worried about proving<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

His worth, had sent a text as a curse<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To his wife, with the baby, now nearing five,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The baby\u2019s mouth none the less gaping wide.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cWell,\u201d the editor said. He was smoking a pipe<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He had gotten long ago<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

No doubt, from an<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Offshore, exotic foreign coast.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The intern, looking at his coat on<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The far room wall<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Thought of a way to<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Stall, his impending doom.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Not the worst worker, you ever met<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Yet I say to this day with<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some regret,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Not the best.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cAll the people who laugh hysterically;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Who do not agree.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cOh, I see,\u201d the intern said. He was beginning to wish<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He was dead. In response, he said, \u201cHow come<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

There are all the buzzards here. What is dead<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For so many to appear?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

There\u2019s not that much life loss<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Around here. Or is it?\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d the editor said, perplexed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cI wish I knew. Say, throw that paper over here.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cThis here?\u201d the intern said. He chucked it<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Missing the bed<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Of papers stacked, taking up half the rack<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Of the editor\u2019s shelf.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cA review,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cOf something long dead, of something once led<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Out by the demons of Hell.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cWill it sell?\u201d the intern said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cIt was written by a student<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Not so prudent.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Time will tell.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A long silence<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Ensued the editor and intern.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The editor was smoking his pipe<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The smoke making an entrail<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Leading up to the ceiling fan,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Surrounding the desk.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The intern, trying to look smart, trying<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To play his part, looked<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Up, at the shelf.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing this man can\u2019t do<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

My worth must be proved,\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He half muttered, half<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Thought to himself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d the editor said,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Ejaculated, raising up<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In a sudden movement<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Of his easy chair<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

His back in slight disrepair,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Choking on some tobacco.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d the intern said, looking up.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cJust talking to myself.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cUhummm\u2026\u201d the editor said. He continued<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In his concentrated, yet easy trance<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Leaning back in his chair;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cHe must give me a chance,\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The intern<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Thought to himself, more silently now.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He wondered if he should do something, but<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cHow\u2026?\u201d The editor once again starting up<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Ejaculated, putting his tobacco stub,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Loading it once again.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cThis paper states,\u201d he said, clearing hs throat<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cIt is not a sin<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To be gay. Well, I\u2019d say<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s not a sin to be straight, either.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Looking at the intern, he took a breath<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

From the pipe smoke he had apparently been choking on<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

While the intern, suddenly looking up<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Knew he had been asked upon.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t know.\u201d Instead of picking<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Up, his<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Thoughts began to slow.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cHuhummm\u2026\u201d the editor said, setting down his pipe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cTime will show\u2026\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cExcuse me,\u201d the intern said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

All thoughts of excuse or reason<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Had fled<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

His tiny mind.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He knew his ass was on the grind.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The editor looked up, then down at his watch and fob\u2014<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It was after five.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cIf there\u2019s something I can do<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Or to you to prove<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I\u2019d love to do it,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Even to give my own life.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s after five,\u201d the editor said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The intern looked up, and wished no longer<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He was dead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The editor, smoking once again, his eyes<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A puffy red,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Said,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cWell, you can push the envelope for me,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Get here tomorrow no later than three,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Then we will see<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you can prove your worth to me<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

On a drowsy day,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Or an electric night<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In you, I think,<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I can find some delight.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some light, at the end of my day<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Before I take my drawers off<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

And kneel down to pray.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he said, the smoke from his pipe clearing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cI think you can stay.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The intern was relieved<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

And none the less pleased<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

But none the less an employee.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cEmployed to what?\u201d he said to himself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He was not quite sure how<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He could sell his soul<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To the devil;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

All the wife\u2019s wants<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

And his troubles.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He looked up at the top shelves.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing this man can\u2019t do.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He said to himself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

And that\u2019s all the story<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The editor had to say.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chris Skiles   IT was a pipingly hot, Yet rainy day. The intern Looking down sheepishly, first At his watch, then the editor\u2019s clock Began to think of his wife And newfound baby, Born ona day, not quite So rainy. The intern looked at the editor In slick, merino slacks And a white silk shirt.… Continue Reading THE EDITOR<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-530","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/16-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/530","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/16-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/16-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/16-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/16-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=530"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/16-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/530\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":899,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/16-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/530\/revisions\/899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/16-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}