Black and white

Black and White   -   in Persian سیاه و سفید 

by: John Kazerooni

I close my eyes and imagine a clear, silent stage. There is no sound, no shadow, no judgment, no form—only stillness, waiting for creation.

From that stillness, a drop of white emerges. It dances freely and boldly, unashamed of its own brilliance. Every movement glimmers with honesty, each gesture revealing its full beauty. White hides nothing; its truth exists entirely in its openness, radiant and unapologetic.

From the opposite side, a drop of black appears. It moves quietly, cautiously, almost reluctant to be seen. Each motion is measured, wrapping itself in shadows, its beauty subtle yet profound. Black conceals as much as it reveals, its truth residing in restraint, mystery, and quiet depth.

And there they are: two opposites, two distinct presences, standing on the same stage. Slowly, gently, they move toward each other. Their dance begins—a rhythm no human dancer could ever perform, a union of contrast, a harmony of difference. They draw closer, intertwining so completely that boundaries dissolve. From this intimacy, something new is born: a state of balance, a harmony of opposites.

Now a single presence moves, neither boldly exposed nor entirely hidden. It is measured, graceful, and complete. Within it resides the courage of white and the humility of black. It reveals what must be seen and preserves what must remain unseen. It moves not for approval but for meaning.

This is life. Some of us live as white, open and fearless, believing truth is only revealed when fully exposed. Others live as black, guarded and reserved, believing safety lies in concealment. But true wisdom emerges from their union. To live with grace is to find balance—to speak and to listen, to act and to pause, to love boldly yet temper that love with understanding.

This is the weight of moderation: to hold both sides in your hands without letting either fall, to stand in the middle while the world pulls at extremes, to remain steady when voices demand certainty and extremes. It is not weakness but quiet strength, deliberate and patient.

Yet our world often forgets this truth. We live in opposites—left and right, truth and illusion, us and them. Leaders, whose role should be to unite, are trapped in boxes of certainty. They claim to serve, yet they fight only to win. They speak of people, but power drives their actions. Their stage is no longer clear; it is obscured by pride, ego, and propaganda.

If only they could see what I see: two forces, once opposed, moving not to dominate but to unite. If only they could feel the weight of moderation—the deliberate balance where truth and empathy coexist, where listening itself becomes an act of love.

Let us live in moderation: gentle in strength, humble in victory, measured in judgment, and open in heart. Not too bold to blind, not too reserved to disappear, but balanced—where understanding thrives, where peace begins, and where love, at last, learns how to dance.

And as the dance ends, questions linger, soft and insistent:

Do I dare to reveal myself fully, yet not too much?

Where am I leaning too far, and where could I pause to balance?

Am I listening with openness, or responding from certainty alone?

In what spaces could courage and restraint meet within me?

And if I allow both boldness and humility to coexist, what kind of life might I step into next?

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