The rust beneath the peeling gold.

When the world falls apart before your eyes, the pillars you once deemed immortal marble monuments of certainty begin to fracture. A fissure within the fissure, like rot beneath polished wood, spreads without sound, a quiet mutiny against the illusion of permanence. What was fortress was façade. What was strength was scaffolding painted like stone.Continue reading “The rust beneath the peeling gold.”

Hallucinations of Happiness

Ripped from the depths of unconsciousness by unadulterated obligation, for a taste of freedom. I looked in the mirror, without reflection, transfixed on, disappearing. Nothing was said. Still sleeping with open eyes, spellbound, moving to a rhythm that forgot its music. I entered a meeting, to plan the meeting, for the meeting that would summarizeContinue reading “Hallucinations of Happiness”

One man’s ghetto is another man’s palace.

As the great-grandchild and grandchild of immigrants, I’ve had the privilege of living among many who came to this country with nothing, who followed the proper channels, became citizens, educated themselves, and built successful lives. They raised beautiful families, embraced the culture, and truly loved this country. For over thirteen years, I’ve lived among scholarsContinue reading “One man’s ghetto is another man’s palace.”

Pennies saved, billions spent.

It’s a strange irony of our time that many of the loudest voices warning about climate catastrophe are also the most active participants in the very consumer culture driving it. These are the same individuals who protest tariffs on China, arguing that restricting trade hurts the global economy, while overlooking that much of what flowsContinue reading “Pennies saved, billions spent.”