It’s the end of the world!. . .theoretically. We keep saying that but who knows. . .until then, Archangels Lucifer and Michael might have an idea on what to do about humanity and its constant, impending doom.

Excerpt From ‘Of God’s Rib’

Author – Jasmine Plaskon

And I wanted to make a show of it is the concluding thought from Lucifer. While they both had developed the most Free Will as a result of travelling together and getting to know each other, they still were learning. A good relationship, like anything else, just takes time. “But really, you did amazing. It really helped me sing along with some timing!”

There are no thoughts at this point in Michael’s mind. He does what he is told is ‘his function’, blurting out the first thing he wants to say. “I hope then to always to dance to your songs.”

What did that mean? Lucifer has Infinite Wisdom but not the experience to back it up in this body just yet, so all he could do is yank his hands away to cover his face. “Oh, you’re being too nice to me now.”

But I’m not, Michael hisses, moves those hands away and throws his arms around that waist as yet another impulse that he just felt like should be obeyed. “I will be most sad if you never sing again, do you understand? I am the leader and that includes you listening to me when I declare so.”

Please, don’t stop is what Lucifer hears as he feels that hand rest on his back. “You will kill me the day I cease to hear your voice.”

This time, Lucifer doesn’t need the Wisdom to inform his next words. “So may I die the day I don’t get to see you dance.”

No more words, just eyes. Always eyes.

*

Alive, After Paradise is a multimedia, multiversal Biblical project that started back in July of 2023 by creative neurotic Jasmine Plaskon with one single question in mind: if humanity were to go extinct yet found a way to extract consciousness from the body, could an inorganic being like a cyborg believe in God? The answer is always; since then, Jasmine has gone on to create a whole universe, riffing off of famous works like Dialogues with The Devil and Paradise Lost while also infusing her own spin on what it means to have faith — even if the way she tells it might make a priest blush.

Jasmine Plaskon (she or he) is a Black, queer writer from the grungy, tech addled depths of Seattle with her husband and two dog-gals. Having graduated from Spalding University in 2021 with an MFA in creative writing, Jasmine has made it her whole life mission to write, student debt be damned. She’s been an Events Manager, founded a local showcase for artists, proofread for her friends and edited zines. You’ve seen her on Exhibit B and in magazines like Winter Tangerine. She’s your artist’s favorite artist who’s not afraid to try anything once.

Text © Jasmine Plaskon