Kamand Kojouri

“Isn’t it strange
that in order to be happy
we have to disregard
all the sadness in the world?
That we have to overlook the ballooned
bellies of children, which are dark
and empty inside. That not too far
from our warm homes, the elderly sleep
on cardboard. That there are teenagers
trained to carry heavy rifles,
but their nightmares compel them
to aim the weapon
at themselves.
That there are battered dogs
with skin taut like a drum
and ribs jutting out—their eyes
so beautiful
it makes all the men cry.
Isn’t it strange that in order to be happy
we have to unremember
what we already know?
And yet,
maybe we aren’t meant
to pursue happiness
despite
all the sadness.
Maybe,
it’s a call for us
to help others instead.”

Kamand Kojouri