Twenty-four and Counting

When I stop
waking, talking, moving, proving
going, doing, working,
consuming, fuming
trying, crying, prying
asking and why-ing

When I stop
analyzing, criticizing
moving my hair, here and over there
putting on, and taking off
hiding, sighing, and occupying

to think

of my life
instead

not what I should
or I would
or any of the contractual obligations
that we sign with birth
of tribulations
expectations
that overwhelm
our self worth

if I think of my life
and all these
magnificent
magnificent
magnificent
people

I think of
how much I stretch
how much I did
and of my success

it is here I realize
even just a mutual smile
with a stranger
makes this life
that much more worth while.

Life is not measurable by what you need to do.
Life is not linear.
Life is everyone and everything that comes to influence you.
And so far, I would have to say that my life has been a success.