“When a rich man looks out his window, he admires the luxuries that wealth has bestowed upon him. If a poor man is lucky enough to have a window, he sees grimy walls, dirty streets, and all manner of disease and decay. Most of all, the poor man is denied the privilege of seeing hope.”
Hello from beautiful central Idaho, USA! The weather may be “frightful,” but it is gorgeous! Here are some wild turkeys to prove it 🙂
The primary fictional nation in my novels is called “Cadona.” It is big and mighty, but in decline. The air, land, and waters are polluted in most of its territory. This image reminds me of what much of the capital, Cadona City, looks like.
I wrote this poem as I was thinking about socioeconomic inequality.
Doesn’t Matter
It’s heave, it’s throw,
My life it doesn’t matter.
It’s lift, it’s pull,
Can’t climb the rich man’s ladder.
I see the guys in snappy suits,
Gents sittin’ in the shade,
While I swelter in the gutter,
Cleanin’ the mess they made.
It’s tug, it’s tow,
My life it doesn’t matter.
It’s grind, it’s roll,
Can’t get to what I’m after.
I’d like a fancy mansion,
At the end of money street,
But how can I get more schooling,
When I work three shifts all week?
It’s sweep, it’s hoe,
My kids’ lives, they don’t matter.
It’s dig, it’s sow,
Nothing makes me sadder.
My girl went to a grocery store,
And she came home in despair,
‘cause the kid behind her shouted,
She has cooties in her hair!
It’s scrub, it’s sew,
My kids’ lives, they don’t matter.
It’s wash, it’s stow,
The babies’ clothes are tattered.
I want to teach my children
The manners of the well-to-do,
But we can’t go where the rich go,
Without fancy clothes or shoes.
It’s trick, it’s duel,
Our lives, they don’t matter.
It’s taunt, it’s fool,
Can’t join the rich man’s banter.
We don’t have their fancy words,
No one listens to what we say,
And how can we smell like flowers,
Workin’ in the ovens for pay?
It’s lie, it’s cajole,
Our lives, they don’t matter.
It’s arrest, it’s parole,
Our hopes have all been shattered.
Rich folks live in luxury
After drinking too much wine,
But the drunkard in the alley
Goes to prison to serve time.
It’s heave, it’s throw,
Our lives, they don’t matter.
It’s lift, it’s pull,
Can’t climb the rich man’s ladder.
– C. N. Sky
Lotish Faith:
The Lotish religion is the oldest known surviving faith in the Primary Hemisphere. Only tribal religions from Togna in the Lost Hemisphere are older.
The Lotish faith is practiced around the world, but it is the predominant faith in Domataland, Izvyona (including the Bakhadaland breakaway region), and Fletchia as well as other surrounding nations.
The primary tenet of the faith is the belief that all things are connected under God. No one part of creation is greater or lesser than another.
The Holy Triad is the most ancient symbol of the faith, and it represents the elements of God’s creation:
- The rising sun brings renewal
- Great mountains bring courage
- Evergreen forests bring rest
- Leaf-trees bring wisdom
- Snakes bring peace
- Birds bring hope
- Water – connects all things under God
Kettish Faith:
The Kettish religion is the fourth oldest religion still practiced in significant numbers today.
It is practiced around the world, and is the predominant religion in Visstel and Antropka. Until year 1006 of the Enlightened Epoch, it was the largest religious denomination in Cadona. It is currently the second largest faith in Cadona, and it continues to lose members in that country.
True Followers of God Church:
The True Followers of God Church is the largest religious organization in Cadona. The religion is just forty years old. Pastor Leon Walls is one of the founders of the faith, and today he is considered its leader.
[Data as of year 1007 of the Enlightened Epoch (EE)]
[Data as of year 1007 of the Enlightened Epoch (EE)]
Cadona
- Population: 1,998,000,000
- Capital: Cadona City
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Domataland
- Population: 780,000,000
- Capital: Ver-Nuvelin
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Izvyona and Bakhadaland
- Population: 122,000,000
- Izvyona Mainland: 70,000,000
- Bakhadaland Region: 52,000,000
- Capital: Villyana
NOTE: Bakhadaland Region considers itself an independent nation and names Satur its capital.
Only Domataland, Fletchia, and a handful of other nations recognize Bakhadaland’s independence.