January 26th, 2026
Heroes
By Frederick J. Blahnik
Martyrs
Slumped over lifeless with glazed eyes
Riddled full of Icemen bullet holes
Their only sin was standing up for disadvantaged brothers and sisters
And possessing healthy, hardworking consciences
Now they’ll never stand up for anyone or anything again
Their futures stolen from them by masked, barbarous criminals
Martyrs for a noble cause—Yes!
But were they bona fide heroes?
Were they the best of the best that mankind has to offer?
Probably not
Yet they did come painfully close; they were Pretti Good
Yes, those two blessed, altruistic souls were Pretti Good, for sure!
Martyrs
Got up in the morning believing a long future lay ahead of them
But that can change in the blink of an eye and the panicked tug of a trigger
Now slumped over lifeless with blood pouring out of Icemen bullet holes
Both meant well, but good intentions weren’t nearly enough to save them
Strong convictions grounded in kindness, but two horrible, felonious outcomes nonetheless
Fought the good fight, but dreams always die last
Martyrs for a noble cause—Yes!
But were they bona fide heroes?
Were they the best of the best that mankind has to offer?
Probably not
Yet they did come painfully close; they were Pretti Good
Yes, those two blessed, altruistic souls were Pretti Good, for sure!
Martyrs
Fighting a fight they didn’t have to
They could’ve just shrugged their shoulders and accepted government tyranny
But their consciences wouldn’t allow them to do that
No, they were virtuous people who stood for so much more than stasis
Now their bodies lie lifeless, punctured all over with murderous Icemen bullets
With their characters being assassinated too before their blood even stops flowing
Martyrs for a noble cause—Yes!
But were they bona fide heroes?
Were they the best of the best that mankind has to offer?
Probably not
Yet they did come painfully close; they were Pretti Good
Yes, those two blessed, altruistic souls were Pretti Good, for sure!
Victims of brutally tragic circumstances, Alex Pretti and Renee Good will live on in the annals of virtue forever even if they weren’t conventional, Wild West heroes.
May their souls rest in peace!
Fred's Soapbox 