Outside the barbecue smokehouse, a tattered flag waves, “Tr*mp W0n.” Apparently this theory does not effect the good eats inside. “It takes time to get the flavor just right—you can’t hurry,” said the smokehouse owner with a slow southern drawl. People flock from miles around to tickle their palates with southern barbecue favorites. Not a single person seems to question the owner’s political leanings or as some would say his “c0nspir*cy theory” on recent elections.

Oh, I have heard quite a few c0nspir*cies myself whispered on and off the streets of America’s cities. Some are as dark and twisted as dead tree skeletons and will make you gasp in the middle of the night. Some are as putrid as pus and will make you sick for days.

The worst c0nspir*cy idea of all time should be mentioned here—you know the one about the ark, the rain, the flood—and oh the rainbow. The invitation to be part of a fresh start-up of safety and new hope echoed for years from Noah as his family built a huge shelter of an ark/boat and gathered pairs of animals.

Oh how the enlightened elite scoffed and mocked until the waters came. Then the door, sealed by the hand of God, slammed shut. Noah’s family sat in safety inside while the doubters outside clawed, scratched, and begged for mercy. The floods rose until the bitter deadend.

Yes, that ancient crazy theory was a doozy—like a fairytale—but it was nothing compared to the outrageous idea that “Tr*mp W0n.” Nothing.

Still I’m not much for most c0nspir*cy theories or flying flags in my yard, but I know one thing for sure—the rain’s coming.

The rain’s coming.

©️Bonnie Saul Wilks