Tobias Wolff’s short story, “Bullet in the Brain”
Probably my favorite short story. That’s saying something. If I could have written this…
https://pov.imv.au.dk/Issue_27/section_1/artc2A.html
Probably my favorite short story. That’s saying something. If I could have written this…
https://pov.imv.au.dk/Issue_27/section_1/artc2A.html
We are all miraculous coincidences,
Children of modern science
Stolen from the jaws of smallpox, dysentery, breech birth.
Every second is a vibrant blessing.
Every
Fucking
Second.
Hope
A new life
A blank page
A tiny savings account
A beginning
Wraps all the dreams into it
Sometimes you have to look for it to see it
Sometimes you have to deceive yourself that it’s there
Without hope life is a black sludge
With hope, we’re all idiots
But at least we’re smiling
I realized I’ve been hiding my real writings recently. Oops, bad Sarah. No secrets. Be open.
It sure was comfortable while it lasted, haha.
Something nice to muse upon… what is the best compliment you ever received?
I was watching old home movies
I saw mom laughing again
The elegance in her hands
Her purity
Kid me came up to her with the camera
I said, “What are your thoughts on life?”
“I’m for it,” she quipped.
“What are your thoughts on death?”
“Also for it.”
Her philosophy would be tested and proved
later in life,
later in death.
She may not have known this word for it,
But she was very Tao.
I always saw mom in me
Her philosophical side,
Her creativity
Her crazies
Her acceptance.
The best compliment I ever received
Was from friends who never really knew mom
They told me I was just like Dad.
Something I had never considered before.
But once I did I knew it was true.
I got his outrageous side,
His caring
His extroversion
His stoicism
His sense of humor.
Both were nonconformist
Both were strong
Both were smart
Both were brave
Both were loving.
I am lucky, so lucky
To have had such parents
I am lucky to have a family
Bound tightly together in common tragedy
I know true tribalism
It’s wonderful
To know who you are
To have a place
To have a role.
Everyone has ever been so good to me
As good as they knew how
They have taught me how to be good to others
Some lessons better than others
I am grateful for everyone
I try to deserve what I have
But not too hard.
Trying too hard to deserve something
Makes you deserve it less,
grow unbalanced.
I must love me
If I am to love others.
Odd that being in the presence of my heroes
Should make me feel so small
We spend our time
Building each other up
And I always leave
Feeling smaller
Undeserving
These people are my people
My family
I love them unconditionally
And they me
I just have to love myself
Unconditionally.
The cat gave me a compliment today.
She waited outside the shower for half an hour
I take long showers
And when I came out
She purred, happy to see me
Rubbed against my wet leg
Knowing she would get wet
Deciding it was worth it.
My sister tells me to come visit.
I say, I have a nasty cold.
She says, then I’ll make you soup.
The joy of my visit outweighs
The physical discomfort I bring.
Love should not be measured in sacrifice.
The pleasure should outweigh the pain
By a grand margin.
However, it can be a small proof
Here and there
Little heartwarming gestures.
Someone gives you roses
You know they gave up some time and money for them.
Someone gives you food
They made just for you.
Someone reads your blog
Every day.
Humans shine brightest under pressure.
It’s not until we have a deadline
That we pick up our feet
It’s not until we get cancer
That we start to live
Maybe
When the world is on the brink of dying
When the atmosphere is choking us
When the plants wither
When disease blooms
When we are all facing starvation
Then we will rediscover world peace
True stewardship
And the meaning of community.
We will see our clear place in the world
Through dying eyes.
Perspective will heal our greed
For one last generation.