I built this castle purely out of sand.
It sits along the seas edge.
The throne is made of pillars of salt.
I alone sit upon it and I alone rule it.
This kingdom of mine was doomed from the start.
My lack of patience will lead me to peril.
This castle made of sand will melt and fall,
And like a responsible king will fall with it too.
It is closing time dear patrons.
Time to wonder back into the world,
To tell the stories you heard here tonight.
To wonder back home and crawl to bed,
And to dream all the things you have not dream yet.
Time to leave your friend Jack at the bar,
And prepare yourself for tomorrow.
Tomorrow is a new day and you need to prepare.
The night is not young anymore.
It is closing time.
A Ten Minute Walk
Part I
It was twelve o’clock on the dot when my phone rang. It was my friend Steven. He called wanting to know if I wanted to grab some lunch. I told him sure and asked where he wanted to meet up. He told me to meet him at a coffee shop called Royale Coffee. Royale Coffee is down a few blocks away from my apartment so it is not that far. I changed my clothes, grabbed my phone, wallet and keys. I then closed the door, went down the flight stairs, out the front door and then down the set of steps. I usually ride my bike, but I decided to walk instead. The weather was beautiful and I told Steven I would be there in ten minutes, so there was no rush.
I proceeded to walk down the street when out of the corner of my eye I noticed a homeless man sitting on a side of a building asking for change. He had a sign that said his legs were broken and need money for surgery. Well I walked by him and turned back to look at him. He looked at me with an angry stare. I also gave him irate stare. He knew I had spare change. I knew his legs were not broken. So it was safe to say there was a mutual understanding between us.
I continued down the street and looked at my watch. About two minutes have passed and I still had a couple of blocks to go. I looked down the way and I notice three men holding picket signs. I walk by the first man whose wearing white suit holding a sign saying “God loves you. Renounce the devil, for heaven awaits you.” I walked by the second man wearing a red suit holding a sign saying “Satan is wonderful. Renounce Jesus. Hell isn’t bad.” Looking at the two I think there were being very persuasive. Yet with both men standing on the same corner preaching their beliefs, I feel like there was a conflict of interest. The third man was wearing regular clothes holding a sign saying, “I’m stuck in a custody battle. Just be Agnostic and have half guilt.” I turn back to the man, laughed, and told him, “Right on man.” I turned and walked away still chuckling about the sign.
As the liquid flame spreads,
The man who lit it,
Throws the match into the flame.
He watch’s the field burn.
But when the fire dies,
And all that is left is ashes,
He goes out,
And plants a single tree.
That tree will grow,
And in time,
Many more,
Will replace it.
A Ten Minute Walk
Part II
So I kept walking toward my destination and once again checked my watch. A total of six minutes has passed since I left my apartment and I’m about two thirds of the way to the coffee shop. I kept walking until I notice a woman in the distance. She had short brown hair, green eyes, and was wearing a green dress with a small black jacket and blue ballet flats. She really stood out of the crowd. She was very attractive. As I walk toward her, I had a sudden thought. What do I do to get her attention? Next thing I knew, I was walking by her. Yet she turned, looked at me, and winked. I thought to myself, “Did that just happen?” I turn to look forward. Bam! I just walked into a light pole.
I was out for three minutes. When I woke up, the first thing I saw was her face. She said, “Are you ok?” I was still a little bit dazed, but I replied yes. I stood up and immediately had a headache. She said, “Are you sure you are ok? It looked like it hurt.” I said, “Yeah, but to be honest, I was distracted.” She looked at me and asked, “By what?” I did not want to sound cliché, but I replied, “Well, um, by you.” She looked at me with a puzzled look. She asked, “Me?” I said, “Yes. You looked elegant with your green dress and your matching eyes. Your beauty threw me off.” She looked flattered and said, “Oh. I did not mean to distract you.” I looked at her and said, “No need to apologize.”
We talked for a little while until I notice I was running late for lunch. I told her that I had to go. I turned and took a step toward the shop. However, I immediately turned back and asked her for her number. She looked at me, smiled, took her pen, and wrote her number on my hand. She turned and started walking away. She glanced back over to me and waved goodbye. I waved goodbye back. I immediately ran toward the coffee shop that was a block down from where I was.
I walk into the shop and see Steven in the corner by the window. I walk over and sat down across from him. I ordered a small cup of black coffee and a small brownie. “How come you were running late? That seems unusual of you to be running late. Literally running late matter of fact,” said Steven. I told him, “Well let’s just say the route I took was unusual. Yet the route I took was worth going down.” He nodded and proceeded to talk about the usual topics we talk about like politics, movies, and the day before. I took a bite of the brownie I ordered and sipped on the coffee. I looked out the window. It started to drizzle outside. It is going to be an interesting walk back. Then it started to rain.
