The End of All Things

John Price ‘08

I. War

I am the Red Rider.

With my sword, I cleave nations in two and cause destruction that only humans can cause. With my sword, I bring the horrors of war to once peaceful nations. With my sword, I end the lives of men and women, fighting for nothing. And with my sword, I destroy.

I exist in every country of this world, I start every barfight, every skirmish, every war. I create world wars from the arguments of mere farmers, blood pours freely. I exist within the heart of humans, I am their true nature. Every heated argument and every murder is my work, they do not see the hopelessness. I toast the firebombing of Dresden as those around me die, I lead the Rape of Nanking and delight in the cries.

I see all those who die in war.

The cloud fogs their vision.

They cry out.

In that last moment, they see the hopelessness.

And in that last moment, they know that I am they.

I am War.

I am the Red Rider, and I am the color of spilled blood.

II. Famine

I am the Black Rider.

With my scales, I cause crops to wither and die, turning black and bearing no fruit. With my scales, I bring the horrors of famine to once prosperous nations. With my scales, I end the lives of the poor and the unfortunate and the hungry. And with my scales, I impoverish.

I exist in every country of this world, I start every rumbling stomach, every moment of hunger, every famine. I reign, the bellies of children distend, and true pain of malnourishment touches their eyes. I am the negligence and apathy of humanity. Every spoiled crop is my work, humanity allows me to flourish. In Ireland and London, I rule the Great Famines, Africa is my newest spouse, willing and beautiful.

I see those who die from want of food.

The cloud fogs their vision.

They cry out.

In that last moment, they see what could be done.

And in that last moment, they know that humanity allows me to exist.

I am Famine.

I am the Black Rider, and I am the color of barren, fruitless soil.

III. Pestilence

I am the White Rider.

With my bow, I cause death to exist within something as small as a paramecium, destroying whole families and villages in one cough. With my bow, I bring sieges of sickness upon nations, ending their lives to feed the soil. With my bow, I end the lives of those who think that they are above nature. And with my bow, I infect.

I exist within every country of this world, I start every cough, every plague, every pestilence. I spread, I destroy whole towns and villages and great cities, all with the smallest being nature offers, a virus, a bacterium. I am the heart of nature, humans believe that they are better than I. Every strain of influenza is my work, humanity will crumble at my feet. I walk the streets of Europe during the Black Death, watching the dead pile up in the streets, never realizing that I should be called the White Death.

I see those who die from disease.

The cloud fogs their vision.

They cry out.

In that last moment, they see the true power of nature.

And in that last moment, they know their worthlessness.

I am Pestilence.

I am the White Rider, and I am the color of disease and of conquering.

IV. Death

I am the Pale Rider.

With my scythe, I decimate the lives of those at battle. With my scythe, I destroy the lives of those who hunger. With my scythe, I stop the lives of those who are diseased. And with my scythe, I end.

I exist within every country of this world, I end and will end all of them. I live on, my life takes the life away from every person and idea and nation. I am the end of all things that will ever be. Every stopped heart and brain aneurysm is my work, humanity will never end my reign. War may end, Famine may end, Pestilence may end, but I will always remain. I am the scourge of all things, I will never die.

I see all of those who die.

The cloud fogs their vision.

They cry out.

In that last moment, they see the immortality of death.

And in that last moment, they know their submission.

I am Death.

I am the Pale Rider, and I am the color of darkness at the end of every existence.

Coda: Judgment

I am the Trumpeter.

With my horn, I punish humanity for the evils it does. With my horn, I end the lives of the destroyers and the polluters. With my horn, I honor the good and hold them up on my wings. And with my horn, I judge.

I exist and will exist in every country of this world, I see humanity destroy and give life. I watch, they show me their true natures and failings and weakness. I am the judge of all people of every nation, race, creed. Every gift to the good and punishment to the evil is my work, humanity needs me. I see both the good and evil they do everyday, I see them fail, I see them die.

I see the essences of all those who die.

The cloud brings them vision.

They smile.

In that last moment, they see what I do.

And in that last moment, they know that I am always with them.

I am Judgment.

I am the Trumpeter, and I am their only salvation.