“This is an ode to life.
The anthem of the world.
For as there are billions of stars
that make up the sky,
so, too, are there billions of humans
that make up the Earth.
Some shine brighter,
but all are made of the same
cosmic dust.
Oh, the joy of being
in life with all these people!

I speak of differences
because they exist,
like the different organs
that make up our bodies.
Earth, itself, is one large body.
Listen to how it howls
when a human
is in misery.
When one kills another,
Earth feels the pangs in its chest.
When one orgasms,
Earth craves a cigarette.
Look carefully,
these animals are freckles
that make Earth’s face lovelier
and more loveable.
These oceans are 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 greater.
Look closer. There may be distances
between our limbs,
but there are no spaces
betweenourhearts.
We long to be one.
We long to be in nature
and 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

“Forget your voice, sing!
Forget your feet, dance!
Forget your life, live!
Forget yourself and be!”

Kamand Kojouri