Steve's Apples

Steve Job's commencement speech at Sanford foretelling his death.

Steve’s Apples       By Sami Khalil

(Steve Job’s prophetic commencement speech as if foretelling his death)

He wrote boldly with forceful strokes. He could not ignore the cacoethes swarming restless and deep. Something haunted him, taunted his tired eyes. His thoughts scudded across a range of possibilities. Nothing seemed impenetrable when you possess the facts for doctors gave him three to six months to live. It was a rare form of deadly pancreatic cancer. The man, who was on top of the technology world, who had instant name recognition, will be dying soon?!

As strong light came in through the window, his eyes squinted. The unfamiliar horizon became foolhardy with firm contours. He drifted between the veils of the seen and the unseen. No one is promised tomorrow, but between the now and then, there lies change and chance.

He wrote and wrote until the daylight dipped below the silent vigils of the moon. When all were said and done, he felt utterly depressed, woefully lonesome, withered to the bones.

But, with hope and ponderous certainty, he finished the speech. He turned on some soft music to drown the shriek of death as the mewling cries of hawks echoed loudly in the distance. One must conquer fear for it rides on the back of wild horses, aimlessly lawless, free to roam. One must let the spirit run away, for it will come back to its roots. One must share his illustrious success in life with others in many ubiquitous ways.

It was a prophetic speech that he wrote and delivered at Stanford. It was so wise, inspiring and beneficial.

After six months he succumbed to death. There was dead silence for a while. The valley and the world mourned that cluttered moment under heavy frays, but celebrated his life’s achievements. Meanwhile, silent vigils of the moon continued.  

 

Reviews

[Myra Fellows]

It will never cease to amaze me how those who are brilliant, overly wealthy or both find it incredulous when diagnosed with a terminal illness. It is almost as though they feel as they are exempt.
This piece sheds light on that very notion.

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! I do agree and I love how you put things in great perspective. Thank you Myra for the visit.

[Pryde Foltz]

One must conquer fear for it rides on the back of wild horses, aimlessly lawless, free to roam ...

Masterful penning here, Sami. Wonderful work:)

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! Thank you so much Pryde Foltz for this wonderful review and stately visit. I respect your talent.

[barleygirl]

First, let me say, Steve Jobs is iconic . . . I admire anyone who has the balls to write about someone THIS iconic! Your writing is perfectly elevated for such a task. I feel you treated this with the respect & wonderment that the man's life deserves. I'm not sure the word "foretelling" sounds right, as if forecasting something as yet unknown (it was widely known he would die -- everyone dies of pancreatic cancer -- not becuz his was a special kind of cancer). Those picky observations aside, I love the idea of picking one event (like Stanford speech) to illustrate a person's character, rather than telling a bunch of anecdotal blathering. Your approach is highly focused, which I prefer (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! Just to add drama , I took the liberty to add that mystery of foretelling. A nurse once told me that patients know their deaths are near for some reason or another. And when death approaches, our lives become more focused, more worthy of living every moment. I love your perspective and your visits dear Margie. Million thanks.

[MOON]

Lovely tribute Sami, all great men seem somewhat complex and truly inspirational.

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! So true and well observed. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your visit. Good to see you still around.

[Einstein Noodle]

wow! well written Sami .. i was held by your tribute .. start to fade to end :( Steve's life screams that no one is guaranteed another minute even ... i have not followed his life nor death more than brief moments on this or that news story ..but i'm inspired by "Steve's Apples" to find out more .. well done Sami!
E.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! A lot of lessons we can learn from his life. A lot of wisdom that he summed up in his last speech given at Sanford. It was prophetic. You can google it. Thank you so much wonderful writer.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Sami... a lovely tribute to Steve Jobs... may he rest in Peace.
"One must conquer fear... for it rides on the back of wild horses".
Be Brave... and run across Prairies green where love can be seen.
truly, Pat

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! So true and well spoken. Thank you so much Patricia Wedel for this wonderful visit. Take care.

[Patricia Wedel]

You are welcome, Sami...

[Sami Khalil]

Gracie Mille.....

[Sami Khalil]

Rest in peace Steve Jobs. This one is in your honor.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

when it all comes down to it...your short story shows an important thing for us to remember...
all the technology in the world won't save us when it is time to go...
Life is life...machines are machines...we have to make the most of it while we are
here on earth...with or without the achievements...
don't get time to read stories much....but this one really strikes to the heart of the matter...at least in my eyes, Sami.
j.

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! So true and well articulated great poet and friend. I so much thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule and feel the need to share with us. I love how you put things in great perspective. Thank you so much.