For the past several years, I
Respond without a smile
Operate like a machine, and
Walk in the dark
No sun in my universe
Ω
Frown (Poetry Series): I
Header image: Pavlofox of Pixabay. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.
Last November 19, at night, after enjoying a refreshingly hot Earl Grey tea while sitting in Oversight, I walked around the nearby business district, and I saw all the buildings and lamp posts decorated with Christmas lights. For the first time in years, I felt the Christmas spirit early. It must be because I have had a long streak of happy moments lately, and seeing those bright Christmas decorations and feeling the holiday cheer early is another win for me. At that moment, I felt like I had won 21 straight wins at WrestleMania like The Undertaker did.
Then, as I continued walking, I decided to listen to something I discovered on Spotify two weeks ago: Piano Project’s cover of “Hurt” (Johnny Cash’s cover of the Nine Inch Nails song).
Side note: Two mentions of the word “cover” in one sentence. Damn.
Anyway, I may have had many happy memories lately, but I admit there are still a few demons and ghosts left. But I decided to listen to the hauntingly beautiful piano cover of “Hurt” during my late-night stroll, not out of pain; I need to listen to “Hurt” to be calm and grounded.
I have experienced so many joyful moments lately, and it’s been a total pleasure looking back at them… but I don’t want to get stuck on cloud nine. If I do that, I might lose sight of reality, and if that happens, I wouldn’t be able to achieve my goals (long-term or short-term, present and future) and create more happy moments. Thanks to Piano Project’s cover of “Hurt”, that calmness was achieved, and I feel grounded on earth again. I walked around the district with “Hurt” on repeat, clearer eyes, a refueled soul, and a gleeful heart, and then I ended the hour of wandering with these words:
Onto the next mission.
And that is why Piano Project’s cover of Johnny Cash’s version of “Hurt” is my Song of the Moment.
See you in the next post.
Ω
A part of 14 Days of The Deranged Writer (2025).
Header image: Jonathan Meyer of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.
Updated on November 25, 2025.
Soles on the ground
Thousand years of anger
Aching heart still beating
Never, ever surrender
Devil may care
Ω
Stand (Poetry Series): I, II, III
Image header: Maria Orlova of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2022.