After the Vacation

After the vacation comes
the brain fog,
the arduous task to reaccept the status quo,
and the quicksand that gradually swallows you
back into the routine you escaped from.

Even though you’ve come back (refreshed) to conquer,
You’re procrastinating still, snoozing, postponing
the great battle.
The warrior’s armor waits for you in the closet.
Your heart still hasn’t synchronized with
the rhythm of the hammer striking the anvil.

But you must get up anyway.
So, you get up now.
You get out of bed.

There’s work to be done.

A cold shower,
then coffee.

You wear your armor.

The sun rises to meet a clear, blue sky
that appears to have never met dark, grey clouds.
But you remember the winter storms.
You remember every war you’ve won.

If God wills it,
you will win this one, too.

And when you’re done,
the boulder will rest on the top of the hill,
and it will never roll back down.


Smoking an Avo Heritage Robusto in Lebanon

Have a Cigar: Avo Heritage Robusto

Name: Avo Heritage Robusto

Country: Dominican Republic

Shape: Parejo

Size: Robusto (4 7/8 inches x 50)

Strength: Medium to Full

Finally, after a long day, a short break.

I need an earthquake
to shake me out of work
this evening.

What a day.

I’m glad I managed to escape
the world
to come here and hide
on the roof of a six-story building.

All I want to do is burn a cigar,
watch the smoke rise,
and listen to the fire crawl.

I’ve got nothing to say
other than I’ve got nowhere to be,
no one to see.

I’m here alone
to be alone.

Finally, after a long day, a short break.

Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios paired with Lagavulin 16

Have a Cigar: Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios

Name: Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios

Country: Cuba

Shape: Parejo

Size: Robusto Extra (5 1/2 inches x 52)

Strength: Medium to Full

When you can celebrate,
celebrate.

What can I say?

This life is for rent.
It will be over
sooner than you’d like.
So don’t waste it on stupid things,
and don’t work too hard.
You cannot buy eternity
no matter how rich you are.

I’m not sure what it cost us
to be born.
But we must have paid a high price
to rent our lives.
So make the best of it.
Time isn’t cheap. And
if you can celebrate,
celebrate.

What more can I say?

When your time is up, it is up.
You just drop.
You won’t get that five more minutes to say
I love you or goodbye.

That’s what I learned from dad.
I was at work when I got the call.
It was already
game over. Adios.
Bye-bye, daddio.

What can I say?

I miss the man.
We could have had more beers together.
We could have talked more,
hugged more,
celebrated more.

But he’s gone now.
So, game over. Adios.

You never get to say goodbye.

Never mind.
Never mind.

When you can celebrate,
celebrate.
Don’t wait for occasions.
Don’t try to make things perfect,
it’s a waste of time.

A good smoke, a good drink,
and a few good memories
are all you need.

Yeah, I have many good memories
and tonight I celebrate with them.

Cheers, dad.