by Charles Fischer

Created on: January 14, 2009   Last Updated: January 15, 2009

We lift weights. It takes the pressure off.

But think about it. Atlas was tricked into holding up the world. Self-image tricked us

we tricked ourselves.

We strain against the abs on magazines with white smiles.

Muscles burn and ache, but we move nothing.

Keep pushing up self-absorption, because if we didn't, who would hold it up? The Earth would collapse on our faces;

make us dumb and dirty, whipping oxen in the fields.

No, we would rather be clean, pointless, educated. Hold up that cubicle office job and rake in the pennies. Go home and feed the kids. Take a stroll through florescent white grocery aisles.

Go to the gym, burn off the carbs, the fat-the stupid ice cream you ate after lunch. Fall back to the brown couch in front of the tube. Watch your dreams parade in front of you, mock you, point at your ungodly shape.

Just stop eating. That will do it.

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