Freakonomics

An intriguing book I must say.
This book gives us glimpses into the world of statistics and economics, revealing to us some of the rules the world goes by... Rules that might be foreign and even shocking to some... Rules that might seem confounding at face value, yet makes sense on further thinking as well.

Summary available at
http://injuir-books.blogspot.com/2007/07/freakonomics.html

Tuesdays with Morrie

Recently I've just completed a rather intriguing book called Tuesdays with Morrie. Unlike other self-help books which scream of personal development and self-confidence, this book shows us another side of life...

Tuesdays with Morrie is a small and simple book which tells us of the little things in life that is present all around us, yet have been neglected and taken for granted by most of us. Many of us are trapped in the endless and relentless pursuit of things, things that we are not sure even sure if they are what really we want indeed. This book shows the enormous power of human will, wisdom, humour, optimism and courage, and serves as a gentle reminder to people around the world... That life is to be enjoyed, no matter the circumstances.

Some people have been searching all their lives for answers, yet they do not realise that they do not know the question. A mind-boggling concept, as humorously put Douglas Adams in his book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.. It's like starving to death next to the buffet table, when everyone else is eating their fill and enjoying the glorious spread of food.

Ever thought about what truly matters to you?
Do stop and think sometimes...
Are you living as you want to?

Summary available at http://injuir-books.blogspot.com/2007/07/tuesdays-with-morrie.html

Just a Board Game

Three children on the floor
Playing a board game
They knew so well

One child comes wandering along
Inquisitive, he asks to join in
New to playing board games, he asks
What is the meaning of the game?
Who made the game?
Who sets the rules?
Why can’t I play it my way?
Why is it not fair?
What happens after we win?
Why do we want to win?
What happens when we lose?

The rest laughed
It’s just the rules of the game.

Just like life.
Don’t ask why.

Cog in the Crane

Huge mechanical cranes
Massive structures of thick metal bars
Motors whirling continuously
Tonnes of concrete lifted in the air

Functioning efficiently
Just like society

We might see ourselves
At the worksite directing works
Or controlling the levers at the crane
Feeling all important, all powerful
And so proud of ourselves

Sooner or later
It will dawn on us
That no matter how we think
We are simply
Insignificant and easily replaceable
Nothing but
Just a cog in the crane

Silent Scream

A silent scream
Echoed through the room
Again and again
Reverberating
Slowly evolving into
A crackling, sinister laughter

Gaining in intensity
Gaining in pitch
Coming from everywhere
Nowhere to hide
Nowhere to escape
The devil within.

Blank

Alone in the dark
Groping around desperately
Searching for
A candle light he thought existed
A warmth that he could still feel
The afterglow of a bright flickering flame

Yet there's nothing
Nothing all along
Just quiet emptiness
Staring at him
Crushing him
Slowly
Numbingly
Drawing him
To the eternal embrace of the night

Fear

Night falls.
The whole world is dark, save for
A lone man standing atop the lone hill
Stationary.
Bathed in moonlight,
Looking at the stars in the distance.
Pondering.
Thinking how things have gone this way.
With regret. With resignation.
And a lingering fear
That in time he would turn into
What he feared he’ll become..
The rest of the people.