The Best Stories of Joe Luca on Illumination
From a very reliable source …. Me
On June 24, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz wrote an article asking that writers edit their own collection of “best stories” and tell the readers a little more about them and us at the same time.
Writing on Illumination has been liberating. But as with many forms of liberation, there are moments just after release when there’s caution and anxiety. In this context, how will the stories be received? Will the ideas reach their intended target or take flight, heading south for the winter? Will the readers return?
But those who visit Illumination are a charitable group and a tolerant one as well. They come to learn, to enjoy, to revel in the joy of words that others are actively creating. I feel safe here and that my friends, is essential. In a safe environment, writers flourish. And thankfully, I am one of them.
I’ve selected four of my stories for this article. Mostly because they were written when I was in a particularly philosophical mood. Like being in the top most point of a lighthouse, with the world fully visible from every angle. I enjoy being in this space, where the world and all that goes on within it, is not actively circling my head, but remaining at a distance. To be viewed and assessed and only later, allowed to return to its former position.
Tales From The Underground
A story where urban myth meets Haight Ashbury. For those not from San Francisco, Haight Ashbury are two streets that intersect in an area of the city close to Golden Gate Park. During the late sixties it was the hub of the counter-culture. A place where dreams were not expected to be realized, but experienced on a daily basis. Through active social discourse and the liberal dosing of certain psychoactive chemicals, several decades worth of change was compressed into a few short years.
The key phrase that prompted this story, and which was seen written on the walls of a newly constructed BART station, was as follows:
I wish I was, what I was, when I wanted to be, what I am now.
A study is the power of wanting and needing, overriding the innate sense of direction that we all somehow possess but frequently fail to notice.
The Mirror Man
From my early days in Los came a very compelling story about a man trapped in time. A survivor of the Holocaust, who walked the streets of LA, appearing normal and well-adjusted in his stylish suits. Who yet, heard the voices of those he left behind and spoke to them through the use of a small hand-held mirror, that was always with him. This is my story of what I found out about him.
The Myth of Independence
We all struggle to be free and independent. To make our own decisions and set our own paths towards success — however we might define it. This is my take on the actual inter-connectivity of the universe and that, try as we might, we will always be dependent on each other for many more things than we realize. And if we grew a little more comfortable with this concept, especially in light of what is happening all around us today, we would all be much better off.
The Theory of First Impressions Might Just be Wrong
The old adage, we only have one chance to make a first impression, always bothered me. I felt it too restrictive and too much in my head telling me what was and was not true for me. Over time this bit of annoyance transmogrified into an idea that the concept of first impressions was all wrong. That it was nigh on impossible for humans to have a literal first impression because of the way humans think and interact with one another. This is my view on what is actually taking place. That first impressions are rarely what they appear to be.
Thanks for taking the time to read through this and my other articles. It’s a pleasure writing these for a very appreciative group of people. Hint: the top image seemed a good one for this article, and to note the fact that I just celebrated my birthday. 😊
Joe Luca is writer and editor for ILLUMINATION and a published author and writer of children’s stories, short fiction, non-fiction articles, screenplays and poetry. Publications include Child’s Life, Children’s Playmate and others.
