The Fall by D. J. Lachance

D. J. Lachance

D. J. Lachance (Dave) has read at two events for Solace in So Many Words. He always gives credit to his wife Lucille for urging him to write when he returned home from the Gulf War. “Nagasaki Shadows” and “The Fall” are part of a stage play called Voices from the Café, which is going to be produced in Iran.

In his Author’s Notes, Dave writes: “Voices From The Cafe was created by weaving together short stories and poetry with stage directions and the reader’s mind. They are presented as a series of monologues, and each character is known only by the story they tell. The stories and poetry were created with the belief that people will create detailed, unique stories laced with images drawn from their own souls if they are offered a minimalist piece of prose laced with numerous interpretations and a minimum of facts. Voices From The Cafe was created with the same belief in mind. Consequently, the play does not have a set interpretation or ideal way to portray it. The stage directions, setting and text provide a solid medium for a director and cast to create unique worlds seen only in their audience’s minds. In this regard, the play can be considered to be a form of narrative poetry.”

Dave lives in Milwaukee.

The Fall

Two souls fell from above. Disgorged from a dead machine, they joined the
wreckage on its journey down.

One, screamed and thrashed at the air, only becoming peaceful after grasping a
part of the craft that had only so recently been aloft. Together, they continued their
plunge.

The other, followed the new path and felt a sunlit cloud, briefly led a flock of
geese and danced with autumn’s leaves.

At journey’s end, both died.

Copyright 2001 D. J. Lachance