Tag: life
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Magnolia
The sun has chosen the magnolia outside my kitchen window as its pulpit– a burning blaze that turns every leaf into a flashing silver coin, hands of fire, passing flames to the next sinner, as the whole tree trembles in a welcome wind. This congregation shall overcome. The light travels, streaking along waxed surfaces like…
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On Words
I had been thinking about language acquisition because, well, I was starting to wonder if language mastery was ever possible. Just thinking about the word “Cool,” for example. For context, let’s say you text someone something you perceive as fun. They respond, “Cool.” Interpret that. Well, don’t, because I asked Chat to interpret it and,…
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Stagnant or Centered
The author reflects on the tension between leaving and staying in one place, emphasizing the discomfort of building relationships and self-discovery. Through various creative pursuits, they uncover aspects of their identity. They ponder the idea that true growth can occur through stillness, revealing that staying allows for deeper understanding of oneself.
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On Truth
I was reading A Lover’s Discourse by Roland Barthes, a fragmented exploration of the thoughts, fears, and private language created by being in love and all its stages. Rather than examining love from a detached psychological distance, he writes from inside the consciousness of the lover. Early in the book, Barthes recounts what he describes as a…
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On Oranges and Ownership
What does it really mean to own a piece of Earth? Inspired by Black Elk Speaks, this reflective essay follows a walk, an orange, and a growing unease with the idea of land ownership. From ancient property systems to modern survey lines, it asks whether land can ever truly belong to us when water, roots,…
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Poetry Unpacked: On Addiction
COLLAPSING GEOMETRIES (Click link for poem) “Sleepmonger, deathmonger, with capsules in my palms each night, eight at a time from sweet pharmaceutical bottles.” — Anne Sexton, “The Addict” Poetry Unpacked: On Addiction Anne Sexton’s phrasing – Sleepmonger – Deathmonger: her words feel like blood on my tongue. There is no romance in them, and no metaphor…
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On Stars and People and People as Stars
GRAVITAS OF GREATNESS (click for poem link) “The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of star stuff.” ― Carl Sagan, Cosmos Poetry Unpacked: On Stars and People and People as Stars…
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His Lineage of Assholes
I have a foul mouth, okay? I attribute this mouth to early access to Comedy Central when I was a kid, as I would spend my midnights watching George Carlin stand-up specials. I view profanity as added color, but also, sometimes, as fact. There are moments when no other word describes a person’s behavior as…
A Place to Leave Things 