Saturday, April 7, 2012

The Congo Chronicles : Gearing Up [Part 2]


      As the day 
         of our departure
draws closer & closer 
[10 days!],
and we get more word of
the ever escalating 
violence 
& the risks involved,

    I am again forced
 to contemplate 
death. 
    I do not dare 
tell my family how 
dangerous this trip 
actually is... 

      Today, 
 I confided in a friend 
who lives in another state 
               [too far to come try to 
physically stop me from going]. 
    He, of course, voiced his 
concern... 
        "I would be heartbroken
if something happened 
to you..." 

    I've heard that a lot lately... 
It is a sweet sentiment, 
I suppose,
but then again, 
I must pose the question: 
      "So then, would you rather 
I not follow my dreams, 
   for safety's sake? 
Because it's "too risky"? 

   In order to do anything
worthwhile 
            in this world, 
you must not only just 
be "willing" 
to take risks, 
but
to actually make that leap
               into the unknown,
though it be riddled with 
risks, dangers, 
& doubt.

     Being a dreamer 
is great-
   we need more 
dreamers...
but 
if you never get out of 
your head 
and actually DO
something, 
what use is it, 
other than a pleasant 
pastime? 

   Regardless of what happens, 
I am at peace in my heart. 
         I am at peace with death.
I can confidently say 
   that I have had a full, 
adventurous, well-lived life, 
  and therefore
see no sadness in death-
   only peace and fulfillment. 

   Sadness, to me, would be 
to not pursue my dreams
& passions,  
    & settle
into that which is 
  comfortable, reliable, 
          & safe. 
THAT would be 
a death
most tragic indeed. 
 
   My hope is that my 
family & friends
  can understand this, 
and 
   in the event that
something did happen 
to me, 
   they celebrate the life
I lived & the new life that
I will have obtained,
   rather than
mourn
  my temporary absence
from them. 

         All that to say- 
there is no need
   for worry.
What can worry
           accomplish,
other than wrecking 
oneself
    emotionally?
 
Instead, 
   celebrate with me
a dream fulfilled
& the opportunities
that wait 
for me
upon
my return.  











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