merely to be

yesterday i skimmed through my favorite poetry anthology i had when i was little. to rediscover those poems that i never thought i would forget, but forgot anyway.

i don't think this one was a favorite when i was eight, but it is a favorite now:

Song Form

Morning uptown, quiet on the street,

no matter the distinctions that can be

made, quiet, very quiet, on the street.

Sun’s not even up, just some kid and me,

skating, both of us, at the early sun, and

amazed there is grace for us, without our

having to smile too tough, or be very pleasant

even to each other. Merely to be mere, ly to be.

-Amiri Baraka

think about that. "merely to be mere, ly to be."

that's the kind of phrase that i just want always up in my head to mull over and think how beautiful it is. and to remind me an important thing about life.