The assignment was to write a poem sequence combining one greater idea. For this project, I looked at the life-spans of different things. I wrote this when I was 18 years old. I collaborated with another student to create a video for the “Tree” section of the poem. When I have retrieved it I will upload it here.
Flea
When it happens,
just like that,
life means everything
and without it,
nothing means nothing.
Don’t expect.
Don’t predict.
Just do
and you are done.
Human
Build on empires,
towers, and masterpieces.
Build until you cannot see
and then destroy your new beauty.
Stomp on your own dreams;
make them ruins.
Don’t create the tangible.
Don’t build on something.
Simply move forward
and you will get there soon.
Tortoise
You must lift your feet
and set them down gently
on solid ground.
Breath from lungs
that have inhaled the dirt from before your time.
Open your eyes
and see the time pass in peace.
Don’t blink.
Don’t stop.
But learn
and you will know.
Tree
Open your arms
and ask the world to believe you.
Live so that you can live more.
Expand into everything
and listen to your neighbors
they will tell you your secrets.
Don’t move.
Don’t speak.
Instead, rise up.
And you will grow forever.
Rock
You sit on my bed
and speak to the universe.
Bring your blessings of a hopeful future.
Speak out with your silent voice,
allow yourself to be budged about by our words;
and never hold on to anything.
Don’t remain.
Don’t fall apart.
All you have to do is be.
And you will become.
