Say to yourself: this event does not compel a change in how I live today, a man reads the headline with trembling fingers where horror stamped across his brow Say to yourself: this event does not compel a change in how I live today, he forgets his morning tea, his plans, the peace of dawn all vanished now Say to yourself: this event does not compel a change in how I live today, but in truth, what changes for him, is the death, the fore, the storm but none came to his door Say to yourself: this event does not compel a change in how I live today, the only thing truly shaken was his illusion of safety and nothing more…
Ask clearly; does my emotion here improve anything at all, the world burns again on schedule like smoke rising from places you’ve never seen Ask clearly; does my emotion here improve anything at all, and any kneel at your altar of concern, lighting candles for causes you barely glean Ask clearly; does my emotion here improve anything at all, but compassion without action is a leaf floating down a flooded street Ask clearly; does my emotion here improve anything at all, beautiful to look at but gone before your heart can beat down until you feel alive…
Ground yourself: I must respond where my effort has weight and reach, in the noise of sirens, breaking news and grief-porn on endless loop Ground yourself: I must respond where my effort has weight and reach, it’s tempting to mistake awareness for purpose and we spiral in that loop Ground yourself: I must respond where my effort has weight and reach, but knowing isn’t doing and being moved is not being moved to serve Ground yourself: I must respond where my effort has weight and reach, and no cause is helped by empathy that dies before it swerves…
Answer with this: I remain anchored to what is truly mine to do, the storm outside will never stop there’s always more to mourn Answer with this: I remain anchored to what is truly mine to do, but you weren’t born to be the world’s sponge or to wake up always torn Answer with this: I remain anchored to what is truly mine to do, your job is not to absorb every ache until your own life fades Answer with this: I remain anchored to what is truly mine to do, but to stand calm and conscious where your actual days stay as moral obligation…
Watchwords: The screen flashes faces of victims and your heart reacts on cue But reactions are not plans and plans, not pity are what we must pursue Feeling bad has never fed the hungry or brought the bombed back home So when emotion stirs but has no tether to effort
Here is Tikatarot, who dares you to answer the question, “Who am I?”..
As and will always be reminding you to dream:
“As you are still the Master of your destiny and the maker of your dreams…”
