Birth of the Holy
Foreword . Recently I've been trying to do 'flash fiction'. I don't really know what flash fiction is. But it seems they're meant to be short, evocative and concise stories. I clearly didn't get this with the following attempt. Nevertheless I enjoyed the attempt enough to stick on what's regarded by a healthy few as the best blog that still exists. Anyway: The Birth of the Holy Holy Emperor Pope John XII sat in the Apostolic Palace draped in 960s ecclesiastical leisurewear, awaiting his delivery. His Bishops had left for the lupanar and his holy court was left empty for the afternoon so he could oversee Cardinal Octavius as he assembled his new purchase. The pontiff had started to pick at a syphilitic ulcer when the cardinal spilled through the papal curtains, dropping wood which bonked off the floor. The Holy See did not enjoy being seen without his mitre, so pulled it to his head, tearing it. That’s Syrian finery for you. “Have...