poetry pocket: think of others, mahmoud darwish

as you think of others far away, think of yourself (say: if only i were a candle in the dark)

dear little voice,

one day, you think: i am alone.

and then you decide: i am not.

and then you whisper to the world and its people: listen, i will chase you to the ends of yourself. look how embarrassed i am; how heavy with love for you, how made-grand with honesty, i know it is completely too much: but it is your beauty which drives me out of myself; which makes me follow this storm on such an uneasy little boat.

and when i prepare my breakfast, i will think of you. and when i return to my home. and when i sleep, and when i count the stars. as i think of you. so far away. so close.

this is about thinking of others.

this is about behaving, simply, as beautifully as you can, under any circumstances.

this is andromache knowing hektor is dead, and still drawing him a bath.

this is the old lobsters showing migration routes to the young by holding their hands.

this is the bee coming home from her first pollen run to be kissed and touched all over by the other bees in celebration, despite her measley pickings.

this is each fallen lemon picked up in a light-alive grocery aisle for another.

this is each tear interrupted by a palm touched across the kitchen table.

this is each orange cat tossed the most favourite hunk of bread.

people are dying, yes. despite all of our triumphs and minute attempts. people are stealing, despite the brushed shoulders and passed clusters of daisy and roe. yes, there are memories. yes, there are funerals.

it takes courage to un-alone yourself, little voice. it is both a dignity and a difficulty to insist on asking the questions:

1. who are we
   to be
   with one
   another?

2. how long
   do we have
   one another?

3. what to do with
   the limitless
   inside
   
   and
   

4. what do do then
   with this knowing
   it is limitless; the responsibility—

this world cannot convince me, little voice, that thinking of others is not our most fine invention.

Chris Abani, Flight by Flame

your life is worthy for this.

love,

ars poetica.