Inspection

Francis Yasha

1. A modest superhero overhears a conversation taking place nearly a mile away. He arrives to the scene in a matter of seconds and asks, “Did I hear myself mentioned?” “Yes,” one of the speakers replies: there is no use denying it. “We appreciate your efforts, as always,” begins the other—the superhero dismisses this with a wave of the hands—“but we wonder whether your abilities wouldn’t be better directed towards more practical matters, including the maintenance of infrastructure.” At this, the first speaker cowers, but the second remains steadfast. “What nonsense!” says the superhero, “I will not rest until crime itself is eradicated.” The superhero departs, frustrated by the delay to his commute home, where a few hours from now he will ignite his television in a fit of boredom.
2. A man returns home for the holidays only to discover that he requires surgery, and furthermore, that his visit home does not coincide with a single holiday. “Not to worry,” his doctor informs him at the appointment, “it is a minor surgery, though an incredibly urgent one.” She nods to the man’s brother, then to the man himself. Once the doctor has exited the room, the brother concludes aloud: “For that reason, the surgery must commence—immediately.” During the man’s recovery, the stiffness of his body prevents him from eating as vigorously as he would like; so he eats less. “You are losing weight,” his brother comments, “we ought to ask the doctor.” For that reason, the man returns to eating more.
3. Every morning before breakfast, a girl steps out to the garden and examines the growth of her basil plant. The girl’s dog follows, trotting in the shadow of her form. This delights her. However, the stalks appear no taller. She rubs a single leaf at the top of the plant, scenting her hand: small food for her bountiful patience. But now she must depart for breakfast. Her dog trails behind, consumes that same leaf in its entirety, and follows his master indoors.

Francis Yasha writes prose and poetry from his Michigan apartment.