The Magnitude of the Story

I can't get over the magnitude of the story. The highest king in the highest court robed in the highest glory looked out over his vast kingdom and saw a patch of darkness, an enclave of evil within his realm of light. Smoke rose from the spot, smoke from the fires that the king's great … Continue reading The Magnitude of the Story

To Glory

From desert heat they perish, parched and glum.Bare, blinded, and abused they wander longTo quench their thirst; if only they could numbThe sweltering pain and find their long-sought song. In utter darkness desperate children gropeFor something they can’t even name or dream.Eternity inside demands they hope;In whom or what, though, yet remains unseen. Through blinding … Continue reading To Glory

Where’s My Sister? (A 9/11 Story)

The giant Furby consumed the room at FAO Schwarz, downtown New York City. Grant was petting its hair in between fake karate punches and kicks. His bowl cut and round glasses exaggerated his round cheeks. Too distracted by my new black mesh Nike basketball jersey, I didn’t notice Mom with the disposable camera. The faint … Continue reading Where’s My Sister? (A 9/11 Story)

Moses on the Mountain

Come up, come up, and gaze across the land I’ve conquered for you with my mighty hand. Press to the height of this towering hill And look upon the promise I’ll fulfill Not for you but for them, for I am true And all men liars. Of myriad men, two From the old generation will … Continue reading Moses on the Mountain

Sex: I’ve Got a Better Story

I remember the exact date I lost my virginity. It was July 19, 2008. That date is easy to remember because something else happened the very same day that I'll never forget. In fact, that other thing was so important that every year since I've celebrated it on that date. You see, July 19, 2008, … Continue reading Sex: I’ve Got a Better Story

He Ain’t Heavy

A medical doctor friend of mine spent a total of four weeks in Bangladesh treating patients in a Rohingya refugee camp. The following is his story, posted here with permission. (Click here for an overview of this refugee crisis.) Late in the day. Last patient. I see a young man with an older man on … Continue reading He Ain’t Heavy

Surviving Air Pollution

I live in a third world country, literally on the other side of the planet from the country in which I was born. But in this ever-shrinking, ever globalized world in which we live, even such extreme distance can't keep the stink of political rhetoric that spews out my country from reaching my nostrils. During … Continue reading Surviving Air Pollution

You Don’t Want This Story to Be True, and Here’s Why

You've heard the tale. In the beginning there was nothing. At some point, for some unknown reason—in fact, for no reason whatsoever—that nothing exploded with unimaginable force. Over the course of billions of years, the debris from that cataclysmic event formed the first subatomic particles, which combined to form the first atoms, which combined to … Continue reading You Don’t Want This Story to Be True, and Here’s Why

What Doesn’t Make It to the Blog

I like to write. I think one of the reasons I like to write is because it helps me think. You'd never know it reading these words right now, but between some of the words I type there exist minutes of empty space. Minutes in which I can simply process what I've just written and … Continue reading What Doesn’t Make It to the Blog

The Shipwright and His Boat

A boat floated just off the pier, severe The sight, did not appear to quite cohere To scenes the pier was most accustomed to. Despite its watertight design, a crew That knew their ropes by day, by night, frostbite, Sun’s scorching light that did not one affright, The boat moved not a mote, did not … Continue reading The Shipwright and His Boat