Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantmentit is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

(Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952) thanks to tiffany salazar

the distance that breaks us

It started with a simple crack; something that we proudly said could be patched up easily. And so we did. Then another crack. And another. Until the thing that binds us is blotched with packaging tape kind of patches. We hold on believing that the weak bonds will keep us through.

Then it breaks, and we’re lost.

A hundred miles away from home, I try not to cry, even though deep inside my tears are ready for a revolution. My heart is breaking, and the pressure it is causing is almost bursting through my chest. There are a hundred thousand thoughts swimming in my mind. I cannot release them through the spoken word because I am alone. The questions that I have all start with “why”, and the answers all end with your name.

I miss you so much. I long for you every waking moment. And in my dreams I restlessly wander the earth trying to find you so I can bring you near.

I want to hold you, feel your skin on mine. I want to inhale the breath that you give. I want to see your eyes, your smile, your hair. I want to hear your laugh, the sound of your voice. I want you, the whole of you right now right here. My wants turn to need. And my needs turn to requisites.

But you do not reciprocate. And I am left wondering why…

solace: chapter 3

From: +639151234567
Subject: I rili wntd 2 tok 2 u. wanna tel u samtng.
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 00:45 am
Type: Text Message


From: +639217654321
Subject: S it abt us?
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 00:48 am
Type: Text Message


From: +639151234567
Subject: Yes.
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 00:50 am
Type: Text Message


From: +639217654321
Subject: Dnt do dis. Am nt ready yet.
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 00:51 am
Type: Text Message


From: +639151234567
Subject: Huh? U dnt evn knw wat am gonna say.
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 00:55 am
Type: Text Message


From: +639217654321
Subject: I knw. I felt d same way 2.
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 00:57 am
Type: Text Message


From: +639151234567
Subject: Den y wnt u let m say it?
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 00:59 am
Type: Text Message


From: +639217654321
Subject: Bcoz wer nt goin 2 get anywer wid it.
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 1:05 am
Type: Text Message


From: +639151234567
Subject: Ur d best thng dat evr hapnt 2 me.jst giv m d chance.
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 1:07 am
Type: Text Message


From: +639217654321
Subject: U knw wat? I think ur probably d ryt luv 4 me, bt dis isn’t d ryt tym.
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 1:15 am
Type: Text Message


From: +639151234567
Subject: Y not?
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 1:17 am
Type: Text Message


From: +639217654321
Subject: Bcoz am stil holdng on 2 d wrng lov.
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 1:23 am
Type: Text Message


From: +639151234567
Subject: Dats s2pid!
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 1:25 am
Type: Text Message

From: +639217654321
Subject: Yah I knw. Tis enuf 2 un-complicate thngs. Let it go Jason..
Date: 27/03/2006
Time: 1:33 am
Type: Text Message


Jason felt a strong tap on his right shoulder. It was Cathy, holding out her glass to him for a toast. Her indelible smile ran across her face and her eyes were happy. Jason looked at her like the first time he ever saw her. A smile darted across his face, and he picked up his bottle to reciprocate her offer. Cathy knew Jason understood what she meant. “We’re better off this way Jason. Friends?” Jason thought for a second, but reconsidered. He knew he had to surrender, and that there was no point resisting. He gave Cathy an affirmative nod, raised his bottle to her and said, “Happy Birthday!”

Kip and Brad looked at each other, and then to Jason. Their eyes were inquisitive, but not enough to look interested. There were many things among them four that went unspoken, and whatever Jason and Cathy meant by their last conversation was one of those unspoken things. Cathy turned to them, she knew what was on their minds. “Relax guys, we’re all friends here!” and she raised glasses and bottles with the boys in their manly ritual of affirmation.

Writer’s note: this is NOT a true story