Emprise
To live means to forsake the shoreward glance
and boldly set out to sea, though it be
fractuous, turbulent, unpredictable,
a probative venture manifesting mettle,
sure to unsettle, an act of faith
willfully defying augurs and haruspices,
marginalizing naysayers, debunking detractors, trading
the comfort of a cove for the courage of a cape,
an escape from arbitrary origins and confines,
a momentous determination to never let
your fate get in the way of your destiny.
Should meager results cast a pall on your quest
and question the wisdom of your endeavors,
answer bystanders with soulful counsel:
better to try and fall short then refrain and wonder;
better to respond to the inherent challenge to achieve
with alacrity and zest, striving for your best, knowing
the attempt itself, in the end, is the summom bonum
in life, that sometimes great digression from death.
- Brandon Marlon
nth roulette pocket
“He was damn poor.”
“But not today.”
“Was kind.”
“Not anymore.”
“Was lanky.”
“Struggling for fitness.”
“Only had coins in his wallet.”
“No longer fond of coins.
“Has gambled even his last single penny.”
“But, the last penny gave him a lottery!”
“Did he save it?”
“No. He gambled and lost.”
“How come he is still rich?”
“Last penny of his ex-lottery won him a lottery.”
“Lottery saves him.”
“But he never saves back.”
“He’s got balls”
“Until his last ball lands in the nth roulette pocket.”
- Sriramgokul Chinnasamy