May 7: "Junior Philosopher," Blink of a Cursor, "Peace of Mind"

Billy Collins philosophizes . . .

Junior Philosopher

by:  Billy Collins

I'll have this figured out in no time,

he announced,

as he faced the Cosmic Void.

He was wearing

a clean white shirt

and holding

the tool kit of reason

by its handy leather strap.

On the day Final Grades are due, I always face the Cosmic Void.

At around 11 a.m. today, I clicked the "submit" button, and just like that, the life I've been leading since January vanished in the blink of a cursor.

And now I face the summer, which resembles the Cosmic Void, as well.  I didn't receive a summer class to teach (those having been gobbled up by full-time professors who are looking to make some extra bucks), so the next four months are going to be very lean.

I'm trying to come to terms with the impending financial struggles in June, July, and August, wondering if I have a spare kidney or lung I can hock on the black market for five or six thousand dollars.  I can do nothing to change the situation.  It is out of my control.

So the best Saint Marty can do tonight is become one with poverty.

Peace of Mind

by:  Martin Achatz

I once had a friend

so Zen

she'd actually

heard the sound

of one hand clapping.