Imagine a test of strength and wit unlike you’ve ever faced. Every challenge you’ve learned to overcome has only prepared you for this. It comes in waves, one attack, one puzzle, one challenge at a time. The first waves are manageable, familiar even. You’ve done this before. As you clear each wave though, it getsContinue reading “Trial of the Fool”
Category Archives: essays
a seal to reorient
You’ve set your timer on the meditation app, rolled out your mat along the riverview window. You haven’t meditated in months, and when you’ve tried, you can’t stay present more than a minute. Bell pings keep your eyes darting back to your desk, and you’re reminded to pause all notifications. You hate you’re still holdingContinue reading ” a seal to reorient”
Hello, I am Ego
Hello Ego, good to meet you. Again. We’ve met before haven’t we? I’m sure of it. You’ve always been there, so often in fact, that I mistake you for a friend. So often I mistake you for me. You do a clever impression of me, by the way. Your voice, your accent, the expressions andContinue reading “Hello, I am Ego”
Netflix is a paradox
Can we talk about Netflix stock? It’s April and they just hit their all-time high, up a whopping +24% YTD against a very bearish market. That’s right, all the big tech stocks are down about -19% this year, and – are all down 19% this year, and Netflix is silently cruuuushing it!! The ‘Magnificent 7’Continue reading “Netflix is a paradox”
A seal for disquietude
I can see my seal again. The air in my flat crawls a shiver up the sleeves of my nightshirt. The floorboards are patchy warm on my soft morning toes. I am waiting for the final gurgle of my coffee machine to spew its steamy starting airhorn. I want to sit at my desk butContinue reading “A seal for disquietude”
You’re Only Visiting Here
Imagine for a moment that you’re not from this place. Not from time or space, or anything that might pass as pattern or order. Imagine instead that you’re a different sort of being, something beyond this world, and beyond comprehension. You are extra dimensional, beyond dimension or without one. An entity of pure light. TheContinue reading “You’re Only Visiting Here”
Stitch, a horror poem
How I would prefer a sewing table to this rickety metal gurney. Mouth dangling thread tails are catching sweat beads on their journey from my forehead like an amateur I hurry. Hemming another running line in furry. One more seam, and then a taper. Bastings, patches, all needled proper. And the banging on the doorContinue reading “Stitch, a horror poem”
Stitch, a horror poem (image version)
Forget Love
Love is easy. Admiration is precious. Love is kind and effortless Admiration is ruthless and earned Love costs nothing Admiration costs a soul’s share What is your soul but self-respect A fusion star, a far-reaching reactor, a freewheeling factory Self-powering, self-contained, self-sustaining Spare not your soul for all, but know you have that to spareContinue reading “Forget Love”
Mixing Rain Beads in the Sun
Is there anything more mystifying than a light rain shower in the warm sun? Where are you, you trickster cloud? Lingering plump above, making small puffs of vapor into the irradiated spring air. There you are, an awkward island in your empty blue ocean. Awkward and buxom, the forgotten bell of the ball. Blushing awayContinue reading “Mixing Rain Beads in the Sun”
Paul Carreo 