Sam's Online Journal

May 15, 2013

Spiritual But Not Religious

I remember in college when I was working at the library’s circulation desk, and I would see hordes of other students come and go every single day. They would pass by the big black desk, or they would stop, and I would have small, incidental conversations with them about whatever book they were checking out, … Continue reading Spiritual But Not Religious

May 15, 2013May 15, 2013

Old Friend

Death, like an old friend waits at my chamber door Clothed in shadow and light Conscious of my presence yet staying on the threshold As if warned not to enter I peek around the frame Eye to eye with my oppressor Like rats in a cage Circling each other Without moving a muscle Just a … Continue reading Old Friend

May 14, 2013

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Too Far

My daughter broke her iPad. It was one of those happenstance incidences, one of those once-in-ninety-nine-times incidences. And I saw it happen in slow motion, as if the iPad were swimming through water. The screen cracked, sending spiderweb lines nearly to the top of the device, and the panel was dented at the bottom. I … Continue reading The Apple Doesn’t Fall Too Far

May 13, 2013

The Sundial

I lost my sundial in the summertime. From off a balcony. In Los Angeles. Quite fitting, perhaps, for someone born in winter. In a log cabin. In North Dakota. It was a family heirloom, the only one I was handed down when the wills were read. Out of a possible ten heirlooms, I was given … Continue reading The Sundial

May 13, 2013May 13, 2013

Keep Your Cool, Andy Warhol

Simmer down, man Nice and easy does the trick Keep your cool, Andy Warhol It’s been a mighty long time Take it in stride, man Don’t fight against the tide All that pushing and shoving And it still won’t ever fit Cool your jets, man Play the cards you’ve been dealt Shut your eyes and … Continue reading Keep Your Cool, Andy Warhol

May 12, 2013

Payback

My mother cackled on the other end of the telephone line when I told her what we were dealing with. My seven-year old daughter had thrown a major fit when asked to go to sleep on her own, sobbing loudly in her bed, which in turn was keeping my four-year old awake. And, of course, … Continue reading Payback