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“This is an ode to life.

The anthem of the world.

For as there are billions

of different stars that

make up the sky

so, too, are there billions

of different humans that

make up the Earth.

Some shine brighter

but all are made of

the same cosmic dust.

O the joy of being

in life with all these people!

I speak of differences

because they are there.

Like the different organs

that make up our bodies.

Earth, itself, is one large body.

Listen to how it howls

when one human is

in misery.

When one kills another, the

Earth feels the pang in its

chest. When one orgasms,

the Earth craves a cigarette.

Look carefully,

these animals are

beauty spots that make the

Earth’s face lovelier

and more loveable.

These oceans are the Earth’s

limpid eyes. These trees, its hair.

This is an ode to life.

The anthem of the world.

I will no longer speak of

differences, for the similarities

are larger.

Look even closer. There may be

distances between our limbs but

there are no spaces between

our hearts. We long to be one.

We long to be in nature and

to run wild with its wildlife.

Let us celebrate life and living,

for it is sacrilegious

to be ungrateful.

Let us play and be playful,

for it is sacrilegious

to be serious.

Let us celebrate imperfections

and make existence

proud of us, for tomorrow is

death, and this is an ode to life.

The anthem of the world.”

© Kamand Kojouri