(re)fine

we are born ready. it’s a tragedy that everyone is not given the necessities they need emotionally and materially.  my friend says poetry can be a form of prayer.  this is my prayer for all of us to live peacefully.  not simply survive but thrive as human beings.
the NATURAL state of human life = (re)fine
fine (n) – healthy; well
refine (v) – free from impurities
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Calling out to folks
Celebrating only what’s printed
on calendars and birthday certificates
Overlooking each moment
as an occasion for celebration
Every second is a chance to LOVE even more

Calling out to the little girl in us
wearing fear as protective gear
After discovering happiness will not appear
In the form of a romantic partner/don’t despair
Live your own fairy tale
from where you stand
you are complete
Your existence needs no validation from anyone
Carve a safe space/be open to a constantly opening heart
And receive the gift of self-LOVE that’s present all along

Calling out to the little boy in us
using action figures as role models
Pay attention to your body/permit yourself to cry
Treat tears as hidden treasures on your adventures
Others may appear like they got it together/don’t worry
It’s usually at the cost of their humanity
Welcome this scared child into your own loving arms
And transform past mistakes into healing presents

This ain’t a call to label all as humans
As long as my name’s considered different
Culture remains relevant
Calling out to folks like me who lose sight of their own light
struggle to find meaning in living
sometimes we have trouble breathing
choke on suicide notes
carry trauma of violence and poverty in our bodies
Adopting coping skills that kills more than it heals
Forgetting we have a choice
Though limited
We have a choice

This ain’t a “WAKE UP!” call
This is watering seeds waiting to be cultivated
Take as long as you need/but don’t wait
Fruits of possibilities passes by
they ripe before your eyes
Simply tend your inner garden with patience/then
Rise to this world like the multi-colored flower you are in full bloom
There are no wrong decisions on non-linear roads
Just non-direct streets to travel on this journey
Where you are is where you should be/so

Be easy on yourself

You may not agree with all of it
In due time you’ll see
The answers we search for lies inside us

This ain’t a call to discover the meaning of life
This is bigger than me
I can never fully understand the grand plan
And it’s a given we endure trials and tribulations
Yet i know for certain
Life is simply beautiful
Every breath we take is a miracle
Let go of demands/surrender to the process

Calling out “YES!” to life:
Stop running away from each other
By drowning out the world through headphones
Press pause on ipods
Leave cell phones off
Just imagine
the remedy of every disease rests on our lips
And smiling is like handing out free medicine
Let’s turn on our smiles when walking
On second thought/start skip-walking while grinning
Initiate eye contact with people passing by
Reminders we’re more than robots carrying out routines
Interact with complete strangers
We are hungry kids craving food for the soul
Yearning for daily servings of
mineral touch
nutrient bond
vitamin LOVE

Life is calling
Respond by holding LOVE in one palm
and fear in the other
Choose LOVE again and again
Allow loving hearts as our guide

We are blessed with everything we need at any given second
Begin
and end
each day
by celebrating every moment

© pathanapong pathanadilok 2007