I trouvé la vida

today there is no
guilt for existence.

when a dog,
white with friendliness
comes up to me in
a park in Paris
and steals my water bottle.

one random moment of pure bliss.
I don’t flinch; I smile.
I laugh at how ridiculously simple
the feelings of warmth and happiness are.

I smile because this park,
I call it a forest,
I see it in its entirety
even when I’m only perched
here in the middle.

I’ve felt the love of the sun in
countless places.
I’ve smelled the scent of life
in so many grassy areas.

Fuck, I get to sit on a small patch of moss!

I have so little to take home.
I have few real memories.
I have few leaves,
few flowers,
few pinecones,
few rocks.

but I have a piece of the world.
I have an image of world peace.

I have opportunities to share.
I have truths that are still untold.

I have blisters to heal.
but the world,
in timeless
idiosyncrasy
will revolve not around me but my ideas.
I have hopeful signs of progress.
I have ideas to implement.
I have a lifestyle to try to shoehorn
into the deep vacuous cave
of Americanism.

I have the ability to rid myself
of existence’s guilt
simply by being.

I have the power to withhold the criticism
so desperately needed
of those who elected a monster.

I have toleration,
patience,
understanding,
a tan,
evolved feelings towards life.
I have an appreciation for simplicity
now that worldly possessions are missing.
I have an understanding for leather.

with so much,
how can one hurt?
how can the sun
not bring its rosy reflection
to my cheeks?
how can I not smile more
at this point in my life
than a four year old child?

I’m in Paris
in a grand park
that feels like a forest.

my essence will be changed,
but my lungs will still exhale the same.
my feet will still ache.
and I can reflect and think
that was it.
the experience I sought.
and found life,
itself.