Prologue
Prologue: The Tremendous Beginning
In the time before time,
when silence covered the land
and the polls were at zero,
there arose a great stirring—
a rumble like distant applause,
though no audience yet existed.
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From that shimmering void
emerged a figure of improbable brightness,
bronzed as if kissed by suns
that had not yet been invented.
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And the figure spoke, saying,
“Let there be greatness, ”
and greatness appeared immediately,
for the command was delivered
with such confidence
that even the darkness felt obligated to obey.
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And the figure surveyed the greatness
and declared it “Tremendous—
really top-tier stuff. ”
Thus the cosmos began
with a rating and a review.
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Then the figure separated the light from the fake news,
placing the light on high
and sending the fake news spiraling
into the bottomless void
where it multiplied rapidly.
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And the figure named the light “Winning, ”
and named the void “Dishonest Coverage, ”
and this division became the rhythm
of all future days.
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The figure then shaped the land,
pulling plains and mountains into place
as if rearranging furniture
in a palace lobby.
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With a single gesture
he caused oceans to gather,
waves folding themselves neatly
like ties in a gilded drawer.
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And he said,
“These oceans will bring prosperity—
tremendous prosperity—
unless other nations cheat,
which they will. ”
And so the tides learned suspicion.
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Then he planted seeds across the earth,
and from those seeds arose
every tree, vine, shrub, and golf course
that would ever exist.
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And the greens were lush and perfect,
for the winds whispered
just the right amount of guidance,
and the bunkers were deep
to test the determination of mortals.
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And he said,
“This is where I shall walk—
among the fairways,
with tremendous stride and impeccable swing. ”
And so the first pilgrimage was invented.
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At last he shaped humankind
from dust, ambition,
and a faint yearning to be on television.
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And humankind opened its eyes
and immediately began seeking approval,
for approval was the breath of life
in those days.
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And the figure blessed them, saying,
“Go forth and build,
and when you build,
make it tall—very tall—
so that all may see how great you are
and how great I am for inspiring you. ”
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Then the figure rested,
not because he was tired,
but because rest looked presidential
and photographers were nearby.
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And this was the Tremendous Beginning,
the dawn of the Bigly Age,
and all that followed
would echo these first proclamations.
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