Sunday, November 29, 2015

Nothing Is Forever

Nothing is forever.
Not even certainties.
Fluid as the weather—
From hurricane to breeze.

Judgment's temporary,
Permanent like Sharpie.
People feel contrary—
Fist fight at a party.

Bruises go away, though.
You won't stay black and blue.
Tempers mold like playdough.
We forget what is true.

Years later you cross paths.
One smile becomes two.
You start to do the math...
Perhaps, the blame should be on you.

Hindsight isn't perfect.
Perfection can't exist.
So, there's no point in crying 'bout the details that you missed.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Your Path Is Yours Alone

The directions say left,
But you know that you’re right.
Now, the roads are all cracked.
Twenty-twenty’s hindsight.
The path forward’s unmarked.
Maps only show what’s past.
Facts of history forged,
Dotted lines, names that last.
Gold is valued in life,
Just supply and demand.
Posthumously absurd,
Is the greed of a man.
Names hold weight above all.
Evolution at work.
DNA, what we’re called.

Both determine our worth.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Enjoy The Journey

Post By: Recurring Contributor, Michael Ginsburg

My grandfather won’t text me back, but he’ll look at my LinkedIn page. He looked at it twenty separate times before connecting with me, but still no text.

One of my uncles called me the day before my birthday, and said “I wanted to wish you a happy birthday today so I don’t forget tomorrow.” Another just forgot…a few years running now.

Richard’s wedding was at Disney world, but his life was far from a fairytale. When he was young, his mother passed away—something that would tarnish his immediate familial relationships irreparably.

Last year, before I returned to college, I visited my uncle one last time to say see you later. My relationship with him was never more than a few texts and dinners a year until his body started deteriorating. When his cancer hit, we were optimistic, yet, amidst the reality of Richard’s terrible disease I managed to rekindle a long neglected relationship.

Suddenly, we found more time to speak and see each other. Monthly texts turned into weekly ones; forced semi-annual dinners became regular welcomed occurrences. We bonded over the Orioles’ recent success, as well as that of the Ravens. His carefree, positive attitude and outlook was contagious. He had us living in the moment, day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute.

You learn a lot about the people you surround yourself with or who you’re forced to spend time with–for better or worse. Whether they make you live for a moment or won’t even give you a moment, cherish it.


“Enjoy the journey,” Richard told me, “don’t worry quite yet about the destination.”

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Just Rip The Cover Off

Judged the cover of the book.
Words inside were worth a look.
But instead you put it down.
Untouched tomes refuse to frown.
Now, someone else took it out.
Gave the benefit of doubt.
Answers to questions unasked–
Keep you living in the past.
Best slow down when life moves fast.
Won't be first, and won't be last.
Ranking's no reason to rue.
Only scorekeeper is you.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Swing

You've changed, but they don't know that.
First impressions--like cement.
On your head sits the same hat.
You're still paying the same rent.
Out loud, phat may sound like fat.
Doesn't matter what you've spent.
Just one trap can kill a rat.
Feeble body crushed and bent.
Bro, you even in a frat?
Took the letters off your tent.
Only pussy is a cat.
Pen and paper is your vent.
Drinking booze out of a vat.
Didn't even make a dent.
Now you're stepping up to bat.
Striking out don't cost a cent.

No one hits unless they swing.
Even if you're born a king.

  jj

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Let's Make America Great Again: We Need Change Now More Than Ever

The reality that we live in is not as promising as we once hoped.  Industry has created seemingly boundless opportunity as well as explosive population growth, but, with this excess of people of and technology, we have damaged our earth (some say irreparably).  The sustainability crisis we face now is not one that will simply go away.  Deliberate, long-term action is required to reshape our society to survive in an uncertain future.

As does any generation, ours has seen both the vast benefits, as well as the overwhelming issues of our current lifestyles.  Knowledge, medicine, and technology have made terminal illnesses disappear, and shortened formerly months-long journeys to just a few hours of travel.  Almost everyone, today, goes everywhere with a brick of electronic innovation in their pocket.  The iPhone has become as ubiquitous as the wallet.  In fact, we no longer need to carry cards or cash, because our phones have that capability now, too.

On the flip side, we have mounting issues with respect to sustainability and have made little progress, if any, in solving them.  Our landfills are overflowing.  We’re running out of gasoline and fresh water.  The ozone layer is flooded with enough greenhouse gas emissions to irrevocably alter the climate.  Inequality has reached levels that are difficult to even qualify—Alex Rodriguez makes about $500,000 a day, yet much of the world’s population is earning the equivalent of $1 a day or less.  The human brain can hardly count 7 objects at once.  Nevertheless, the 1% has succeeded in accumulating wealth that we cannot even conceptualize in magnitude.  What’s the difference between $10 million and $1 billion?  I don’t know.  You tell me.

The fact of the matter is that we need to change, before it’s too late.  We need to innovate and create—like we always have—but to a new end.  The focus of our next 50 years must not be economic growth, but rather, creating renewable energy, minimizing waste, and reversing climate change.  We must provide adequate education and healthcare opportunities to everyone, not just the wealthy minority.  We need to bring manufacturing back to America and jobs back to our cities (I never thought I’d say that—don’t call me Trump, please).

Our time is now.  Not tomorrow, not next week, not next year, we need to start today.


Who’s with me?