The Unlikely Buddha

The sun slanted through the hospital window, dappling the sheets where she lay. Five years, it had been. Five years since that lump, a cruel betrayal in the smooth landscape of her breast, announced its unwelcome arrival. We were young, she a lab coat scientist in the gleaming sterile world of the hospital, our son a toddling whirlwind barely past one. Hope, back then, bloomed like an impossible rose in the face of the storm. Chemo's icy grip, the radiation's harsh embrace, we weathered them together. Nausea clawed at her throat, but my hand was a constant anchor in the churning sea. A tiny dot, like a misplaced freckle, tattooed on her skin became a grim, yet precious, landmark. Victory seemed close, tangible. Work, life, parenthood - we resumed the dance, her laughter like sunlight breaking through the clouds. Our son, blissfully unaware of the battle fought and won, grew under her watchful gaze. Each month, a ritual dance with needles and vials, the tumor markers waltzing ...

In the heart of Wrocław, where shadows play,  Stands a streetlamp, aged and worn with day.  No ordinary post, this iron dame,  A witch's cloak, her leafy frame. Her tangled hair, a verdant crown,  Reaches high, where owls fly down.  Emerald eyes, the lamplight's glow,  Gaze upon the streets below. She whispers secrets to the breeze,  Of cobbled squares and ancient trees.  Of lovers' sighs and laughter's chime,  Woven in the tapestry of time. The children sing, with wide-eyed glee,  Of Wrocław's witch, and mystery.    She watches over, ever kind,  A guardian spirit, with gentle mind. So next time you pass, beneath her bough,  Remember well, the watchful vow.  The Witch of Wrocław, standing tall,  Sees all, remembers all. But fear not, friend, her ancient gaze,  Holds only wisdom, through the haze.  A protector's love, in every spark,  The Witch of Wrocław, lights the dark. Unlikely Buddha 2023

  Starlight Sonnet No longer myths drape constellations' gleam, But swirling spheres in cosmic ballet grand, Their waltz a symphony of light, it seems,  Where methane's breath unveils creation's hand. No silent sphere is Jupiter, aloof,  But swirling storms, a canvas ever-drawn, Ammonia's brushstrokes paint a vibrant roof, Where secrets dance at dawn, then dusk, then dawn. The poet's eye, once filled with fiery steeds,  Now sees the dance of quarks, a cosmic spin,  In equations etched, a truth that seeds  A richer awe, where mysteries begin. For science unveils a grander tapestry,  Than myths of old could ever hope to weave,  In every atom, every galaxy,  A poem's pulse, a symphony to believe. So let us sing, with scalpel and with rhyme, Of swirling stars and whispers on the breeze, In every truth, a spark of the sublime,  A universe in chorus, if we please. I hope this poem inspires you to explore the universe in all its wonder, t...

Predominant sentiment : There's no clear consensus. Opinions on Trump's potential return vary widely across different regions and demographics. Here's a snapshot: Favorable : Right-wing media and politicians in several countries, particularly Europe and Latin America, express support for his populist rhetoric and perceived stance against immigration. For example, Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil, has openly endorsed Trump. Some argue his policies, like protectionism, resonate with voters facing economic challenges. A recent poll by Pew Research Center found 32% of respondents in France and 34% in Germany holding favorable views of Trump. Neutral : Many countries, especially in Asia and Africa, maintain cautious neutrality, prioritizing their own interests and avoiding interference in US politics. International organizations tend to focus on specific policy areas, engaging with whichever administration takes office. Unfavorable : Mainstream media and political ...

Chapter One As the winter sun cast long, skeletal shadows across the hospital room, I watched each labored breath rise and fall from my wife's chest, a fragile bird trapped in a cage of bone. Her once vibrant eyes, the color of a summer sky, were dulled by pain, but still held a fierce love that mirrored my own. Even as the cruel tendrils of metastatic breast cancer squeezed the life from her, her spirit remained unbroken, a warrior queen facing her final battle with me by her side. Forty-five years of my own war with MCTD had etched a roadmap of scars across my body, each one a grim testament to the disease's relentless assault. My muscles, once instruments of strength and grace, had become traitors, their fibers turning to brittle strands that threatened to imprison me in my own flesh. My immune system, a once-mighty shield, had become a rusted gate, forever swinging open to let in a tide of deadly infections. I had tasted death, not once, but twice. Sepsis, a venomous ser...

Caramelizing fresh carrots is a delicious way to add depth of flavor and sweetness to this versatile vegetable. Here are two popular methods you can try, each with its own unique twist: Method 1: Stovetop Caramelization This method uses a combination of butter, sugar, and a little bit of heat to draw out the natural sugars in the carrots and create a beautiful caramelized crust. Ingredients : 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons butter 8 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into thick rounds or half moons 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon white sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup water (optional) Instructions : Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar, white sugar, and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves and the carrots begin to caramelize, about 5-7 minutes. The sugar may clump at first, but keep stirri...

  In the veiled embrace of a foggy pane, A lady stands, her face a whispered name. A single rose, a crimson tear she holds, Against the glass where warmth and mystery unfolds. Her eyes, two pools of deepest, darkest night, Reflect the glow of an unseen light. Her lips, a rosebud yearning to unfurl, Speak of secrets held within a world. The steamy breath upon the glass ascends, Like dreams escaping, where desire transcends. Is it her image, blurring in the haze, Or is it she who watches, through a lover's gaze? The rose, a fragile flame against the cold, A symbol of a love story yet untold. Will she reach out, push through the misty veil, Or forever remain, a whispered, haunting tale? The window stands, a barrier between, Two worlds colliding, yet unseen. A yearning heart, a longing soul desires, To bridge the gap, and set their love on fire. But will the rose find its rightful place, Or will it fade, a memory lost in space? The answer lingers, hidden in the mi...