Glade Plug-ins

By TropicalSnowstorm

Just like an air freshener really only aspires to
cover up something nasty, "learning to be friends"
would merely be an attempt to either assuage guilt,
or diminish deserved feelings of callousness.
I do not wish to be a party to some charade
put on, at my expense, in order to create a
convenient sense of nostalgia that is easier for
you to live with and talk about at Christmas parties.

Rewrite things in your mind however you must so
you can be the hero or the martyr, whichever suits
your life story, and cast me as you like - I don't plan
on ever reading the abridged version of reality anyway.
Take all the special things ever said or done for you,
wrap them in some old newspaper and burn them,
I'll do the same with what could have been, but leave
my memories alone - they mean something to me.

-- Steve McKennon, Feb. 3, 2004

Unauthorized Copying Is Prohibited. Ask the author first.

Published on Tuesday, February 3, 2004. Filed under:

Comments on "Glade Plug-ins"

On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, Mute Serenade (389) wrote:

Oh this gets to the marrow. Brilliant, instant fav.
On Thursday, November 2, 2017, Mute Serenade (389) wrote:

Back again reading this. Makes me want to flip a coffee table and shout :)
On Thursday, March 31, 2016, carlosjackal (2788) wrote:

Raw, honest and blows apart the title whilst also clarifying it in the most muso of ways....Really good write that too many of us can identify with.
A former member wrote: This was so well done. "leave my memories alone" "convenient sense of nostalgia" so many lines that are so true. Well done.
A former member wrote: funny how those 'plug-ins' have a tendency to rewrite history.... hmmm. Great analogy, love the idea of the abridged version of reality... witty yet biting sarcasm.... well rendered
On Tuesday, August 31, 2010, ubiquitoussoul (343) wrote:

What an excellent piece hear.I will admit I feel the need to quote a couple lines as they just blow me away..truth is a slap to the face..reality just is "on ever reading the abridged version of reality" ..why when the details in life should bleed mellifluous in the comfort of voices familiar and accepted..if life was concise ..it would be in a poets words..but spoken hearts pump continuous,endless like the voice.."wrap them in some old newspaper and burn them".. this visual and relieving..fuck off and burn..your're old news..recycling words..overused.. move on .don't be stuck in the past..so many that cant move on..get on with it..many opportunities to come and ...many beautiful good hearted women to meet..awesome read.
On Friday, November 5, 2004, flying_fox (571) wrote:

What I thought was going to be a shameless product plug (my god I must be in marketing) is in fact an insightful and sagacious commentry. You are a marvel.
On Saturday, July 24, 2004, sixsixnine (476) wrote:

i love reading your work.. feels so deep & personal.. kills all the bullshit! i take another hit.. sit in my pit wondering all kinds of shit!! & i love it! *669*
On Thursday, May 6, 2004, sulkylime (191) wrote:

this speaks VOLUMES.. to me.. i can quote this piece for how one can feel after relationships not only with significant others, but just with various people in general.. also reminds me (this may only be vaguely related with what you were implying.. but j
On Thursday, May 6, 2004, sulkylime (191) wrote:

just to talk about ppl "talking") of the choices in my life that may have disturb/disrupted the ppl once close to me, including my peers, my family - and i'd often be a topic to discuss, & they'd always horde me with questions not more as to understand, a
On Thursday, May 6, 2004, sulkylime (191) wrote:

as to wanting to fit my life into some convenient category so that they could feel secure in their assumptions..if i'm happy with my choices they expect me not to be sad at all with anything, or i should admit to making a wrong choice and try coming back
On Thursday, May 6, 2004, sulkylime (191) wrote:

to where i once stood. since sometime, i found it easier to not talk about it at all..
On Wednesday, February 18, 2004, flying_fox (571) wrote:

love the analogy - it's very fresh, if you'll excuse the pun. No? i wouldn't either. I think Fish hit the nail on the head saying the weariness of the situation comes through. You are very talented. FF
On Monday, February 16, 2004, apophenia (39) wrote:

ah, the transparent world of the here and now which is really then and done, which could be said to be meaninglful in one's mind and blind in another's ...
On Monday, February 16, 2004, apophenia (39) wrote:

i want to hold your hand in your words and pray to a balanced abstract god that one day you would be given this ... freedom in decay ...
On Monday, February 9, 2004, Jonas (715) wrote:

i can feel the emotion and tired, tear-stained weariness come off of this piece... and the sighed word that comes to mind is: 'women'
On Tuesday, February 10, 2004, TropicalSnowstorm (1580) wrote:

: ) Yes, that is the word... Oh well, plenty of others in the wide world, life goes on.
On Monday, February 9, 2004, Ophelia (221) wrote:

Sometimes it is the memories that keep us sane and keep us going. I love this, my memeories are mine they are all I have of a life once filled with childhood fantasy and dreams. I miss it, but I can still think back on it..........O.
On Sunday, February 8, 2004, capt_funguy (777) wrote:

the spoken word version of this should be played from a telephone answering machine - don't know why , but hearing it that way , made it kinda chilling , and even more final --- very cool --funguy
On Wednesday, February 4, 2004, purr_verse (1052) wrote:

I particularly liked "convenient sense of nostalgia": that's exactly right... Excellent piece! (and great title for it, too) purr
A former member wrote: This was amazing. It seemed so calm and yet so passionate. Very thought-provoking. Great job. Thanks for sharing this. -Doll
A former member wrote: "I don't plan on ever reading the abridged version of reality anyway" Wow, a lot of feeling has gone into this. It's realistic in a way that is beautiful. Thankyou. ~Wish Upon A Star