Double Helix, Downward Gyre

E-Robot Science Fiction presents short fiction by award-winning author, Carl Frederick. These tales are offered two at a time for the 'pulp era' price of ninety-nine cents.--Double Helix, Downward Gyre--The 'double helix' in the title does, of course, refer to DNA. The 'downward gyre' alludes to William Butler Yeats' poem, 'The Second Coming' which Turning and turning in the widening gyreThe falcon cannot hear the falconer;Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhereThe ceremony of innocence is drowned;The best lack all conviction, while the worstAre full of passionate intensity.The Poem expresses dismay over the state of the world and a foreboding about what is to come.The story appeared in the Jan/Feb 2007 issue of Analog Magazine--Helix of Friends--Parallel worlds, not-so-imaginary playmates and repressed fears are features of this storyThe story appeared in the September 2011 issue of Analog Magazine