Author: Michael Murray

  • Map

    Map

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    by

    Michael Murray
    in

    The other day my wife and I set our four year-old son Jones down before a blank map of Europe, and asked him if he could locate Ukraine. This is what he produced:

  • Jones morning

    Jones morning

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    by

    Michael Murray
    in

    Rachelle and I are sitting on the sofa. The winter not yet over. We’ve passed through some pretty rough weather, and know there will be more to come. But right now there is a pause, and we sit within it like sketches of ourselves– ghosts. But Jones doesn’t see this. He sees only the forms…

  • Superman

    Superman

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    by

    Michael Murray
    in

    Jones runs into the bedroom. He’s wearing Spiderman pajama’s and has a Batman action figure in his hand. His eyes are wide. He has important news. “Batman ate Lizard Man! Batman ate Lizard Man!!” “Really?” I ask. “Yes. He ate him.” “Wow. That’s really out of character, that’s not like Batman at all.” (In an…

  • Winter

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    by

    Michael Murray
    in

    I am standing outside after a winter illness. I look around and see my neighbour sitting on his stoop smoking a cigarette. A single man near 60. He was the victim of a hit and run about a month ago. He was following all the rules, doing everything right, but it simply did not matter.…

  • Snow

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    by

    Michael Murray
    in

    The snow is falling thick and beautiful. Feel it touch your face and dissolve. Become a part of you. How many eternities, how many worlds before that flake touched you? It was meant for you. And now you are young again, and you just know you are about to discover something beautiful.

  • Generation X

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    by

    Michael Murray
    in

    The Shittiest Generation The other day a friend and I went to see the movie 1917. It’s an Oscar favourite, this film, a unique technical achievement, and straight forward exposition of virtue amidst the chaos of war. Uniquely though, it’s one devoid of politics, and the engine that drives the story is not the unhappy…

  • January

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    by

    Michael Murray
    in

    January in Toronto. Days the colour of concrete. They seem to encircle you, these days. I am up early for an appointment and am standing on the sidewalk waiting for my ride. The day is just now lightening, and two squirrels chase one another on the street before me. It seems more than playful, it…

  • Jones

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    by

    Michael Murray
    in

    The walk back from school is slow transit. More so, when there is snow. For Jones, it’s like some sort of magical Play-Doh has blanketed the city. He throws himself into snowbanks. Lies there like a soldier waiting to take a hill. Tumbles off and into a neighbouring yard, makes a snow angel. Stomps on…

  • Heidi Blog

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    by

    Michael Murray
    in

    Today I have given The Blog over to Heidi, our Miniature Dachshund: **************************************************** Know Paw Patrol? It really big deal. Cartoon for two-legged pups. Make billions of treats and bones for bloated two-leggers who exploit worker dogs. They assholes. Heidi bite every one of them in most vulnerable spot. Heidi imagine so much blood. So…