The Walls We Fix
By Zac Dunn
Art by Joe Vaux
Published Issue 134, February 2025
AS children we are told to YES and NO
AS we are given play pens and aprons to keep the mess from us
AS walls are given to us to keep the world and chaos of nature from leading us astray
But as MOWGLI was given a JUNGLE BOOK or LORD GREYSTOKE was left to swing from vines and live
When we crawl toward the sword or ball we are always given choice, but in a way our minds may be unable to VOICE
The light we see that rises and surprises MICKEY in the NIGHT KITCHEN to flip the switch for the morning cake to bake
The WILD THINGS we become when left to our devices and released from hearing all the senseless lies
A pouncing feline is clever to sit and lay in wait to spring into deadly action
As a bit of feathers and dander on furry lips drips small bits of its flavor to taste in scurrying to the next
We prospect for rare gems and fertile meadows so luscious in all seasons
But the walls we erect to protect this humble gully can sully the very beauty we stood and chose firmly once
The death and decay that must blow away as ashes scatter to all four corners to find a resting place too
As sun and moon chase the shadow of the lone LOON upon a remote ATOLL, we hold up high the most firm brick and mortar in hopes the all can’t crawl so high
To sneak inside and make the outside wild and free, we must cut the chain of the cage we know is a safe place
If we choose to LIVE FREE and only respond to the creature we walk forward into the LIGHT TO BECOME
OUR eyes must cast a gaze at the sky and another at the earth in the same breathe
For
AS ABOVE SO BELOW
A NAME WE CHANT IN
LIGHT DARK and face SHARP TEETH
IS OUR OWN APPALACHIAN CHAIN
OF ROCKS WE DECLARE
ARE THE BODY WE BECAME
5:55am HOD
Zac Dunn is a psycho-social mechanic, father, musician and dreamer. Check out his music and follow him on X | Instagram | Tumblr.
Joe Vaux is a Culver City- based animator and artist who works as a storyboard artist and animation. See more of his work: Website | Instagram | Bluesky
Check out Zac’s January install, Never Trust A Puddle, in case you missed it, or head to our Explore section to see more of his work. This is Joe’s debut with Birdy. Keep your eyes peeled for more work by this talented artist.