calligraphy of living

by ola hadi/10.5.11

I did not know the man
I did not know he had the same dreams
I have

reading about Steve
I wish I had
I can relate
not just because of his love
for the creative

but because he was real
was adopted
shaved his head and
meditated

spent time at an ashram
became a Buddhist
loved the Beatles

here is a man
who tripped acid
valued experiences

studied calligraphy
applied a similar beauty
to the business of life

learned about the heaviness of success
and about the lightness
of beginner’s mind

proof that a true genius
does not ignore
his heart
and can overcome
almost
any obstacle

but
was human
like the rest of us

taught
you have to trust
the dots will connect in the future
believe in that
connection
to believe in yourself

that will make all the difference
(I imagine
he answers Frost)

I analyze your advice

have the courage
to follow your heart
and intuition

stay hungry
stay foolish

time is limited

they say when a star dies
it becomes every single element
on the periodic table
and that you and I
are therefore
part
of a star

it may be the same
with the ideas
of great humans

so here is my expression
of gratitude
from my hungry, foolish heart
for beginner’s mind
and connected dots

©ola hadi 2011