"why johnny, why?" by Shahin

"Prelude" by Shahin

"Johnny needs a fast car" by Shahin

"johnny, where art thou?" by Shahin

"Johnathan, leave." by Shahin

why johnny, why?

retreat. johnny's back.

there's an extremely thin line between blissful exuberance and paralyzing depression, and johnny's walking on it. no, i take that back, johnny *is* the line itself, almost non-existent, residing alongside both extremes.

johnny ignited the engine as the leash tightened around his neck. good morning america, courtesy of uncle sam and sons. it's a beautiful day, just like every other day. weather is alive. inhale. johnny sips on his stainless steel coffee mug, eyeballing the first page on wall-street journal. reverse. brakes. drive. the flamboyant blonde neighbor salutes johnny in her denim jumper suit. mountains in the horizon, mist in the air, green grass odor. america roars highway 73, marching ahead. park. atm. deposit. fast cash. sip. ignite, reverse, drive. progress on sanctions. cell phone. hi dad. poker night for him, mom's gone for the night, 19th, of course. park. stare. why? why here? click, beep. sip. johnny glides up the stairs, smiling. cubicle. johnny's now engaged, struggle, survival, senseless. why?

play. daf. johnny, hang in there. change. i can hear the bubbles, it's boiling.

patience johhny, patience.