Departing from simile on the metaphor mainland, the Fine Line
ferry crosses the Dire Straits to the Isle of Clichés three times a
week. In fair weather, passengers can often catch a glimpse of both
Salient Point and Talking Point, the rugged Brink of Disaster and the
vast expanse of Glacial Indifference.
When it reaches its destination, the Fine Line docks at Anyport,
which provides a sheltered anchorage and harbors no grudges. The road
to Success, the bustling commercial hub of Clichés, is not well marked
and often has bumpy twists and turns. The works of Succession artists
and craftsmen are displayed at the Peanut Gallery. Especially thought
provoking is a collection of finely spun tapestries, the so-called
Webs of Deceit; a delicately executed watercolor mural, Tissue of Lies,
which depicts historic happenings associated with Success; and several
clever examples of locally manufactured windows of opportunity.
From Success a circuit tour may be made by following the new but often
trash-littered Information Highway. Worth a stop, at 25.2 miles, is the
charming village of Better, on the commons of which is the reputedly
therapeutic Bode’s Well. A short but not recommended side trip leads
down a slippery slope from Better to Bad to Worse, a fetid hamlet on
the Slough of Despond.
Continuing westward, the highway ascends through the Credibility, Gender
and Generation gaps. Shortly thereafter, the traveler is rewarded with
views of the spectacular Pride-Before Falls, where the river of Regret
cuts through the heights of Folly. Atop this escarpment is a nexus of
hiking trails. The deceptively smooth and easy path of least resistance
leads directly into the mountains of Debt, where eerie margin calls are
often heard.
After crossing the stream of Consciousness, the highway approaches Significant
Development, a suburb in the planned community of Interest. Above, constructed
on high moral grounds, is the reservoir of Good Will. This impoundment is
shallow and often much reduced by evaporation during the season of discontent.
Thereafter, the landscape changes dramatically as arid areas of Concern loom
large. These barrens were once the stronghold of the Nadir of Guilt, a legendary
warlord who, armed only with sharp retorts, was hoisted with his own petard in 1711.
Beyond Concern, the road to Oblivion veers to the left. Traffic on it is notoriously
heavy. Prudent travelers avoid this byway at all costs and continue directly on to
the coastal nature preserve at Boiling Point, where frequently seen species include
the horned dilemma, unmitigated ass, yellow-bellied skunk, sour puss, superior smirk
and flashy upstart.
The Last Resort is adjacent to the sanctuary. A local legend has it that if, while
staying there, the weary traveler hears a swan song, he or she will never return to
the Isle of Clichés.
[ Home ] [Joke O' The Day ]
[
Patriotic Corner ] [ Poetic Pieces ] [ Politics ]
[ Miscellaneous ] [ Archives ]
