Rain in the Rainforest

I hear droplets of water fall from the clouds above

How can it fall so far and make such a slight soft sound?

It's so peaceful, so rhythmic

Each drop is unique

Big, smooth tropical leaves drink up the rain and feel so relieved

Rain in the rainforest is a huge part of life

How beautiful it is to listen to the trees breathe

To listen to the rain drip from leaf to leaf

You can forget you are human

You can forget you have a job

Because, in the moment your brain and ears are getting massaged

Listening to the rainforest I feel the energy flow

There is so much life to live within a rainforest

You can really let go

Meraki - “essence of yourself”

My heart beat is a drum

My own internal instrument heard by a thump

I pluck the bronze strings of my guitar 

Playing notes till they all fit right

Melodies and rhythms waver as I change everyday

The sound paints what I feel in textures and depths

Fluctuating through my body, 

Connecting my mind, body, and soul with one breath.

Its this vibrant color,

Not just one or two,

Its like there is this whole universe of colorful energy thriving in each of us

I feel it when I move.

Infinite

Energy

Infinite 

Breath

I am connected to everything 

I want to express myself and embrace myself through what I do. 

Spirals clog my consciousness

When I ignite my light and soul

The sun’s rays saturate my skin, 

Yellow

Orange

Warmth again.

Its this ever flowing essence of me

I want to live with Meraki 

I want to be me. 

Works Cited

Blanchard, Heather. “The Significance Of Meraki.” Cary Yoga Collective, 29 September 2022, https://caryyogacollective.com/the-significance-of-meraki/. Accessed 17 December 2024.

Explanation and definition: 

“Meraki" (pronounced may-rah-key) is derived from Greek language, and literally means the “essence of yourself.” But it has a translation that transcends many languages and cultures, and represents a concept that is deep and powerful.

“The “Ki” at the end of this word also translates from Sanskrit to Hebrew and Asian languages as a form of vital energy. It is the life force, the prana, that flows in every living thing, and the essence, or seed, from which life flows forward. And just like that ever flowing energy, we should continue to learn and grow, to discover, seek adventure and try new things.”

Waves Wash

The sand's warmth comforts the shiver inside, as I walk towards the edge of the ocean. I start to dig my feet into the sand and then let the waves wash over them, it's such a circular cycle, sink, wash, sink, wash. The ocean falls back into itself and then a little more aggressively washes over my feet up to my ankles. It's about 85 degrees outside, so the water is like 78 degrees, which feels perfect to me. Cool in contrast to the sand, but it's refreshing. I sit down and watch the soft sun's reflection on the waves. It twinkles against the vast blueness, and the mesmerizing ripples calm my body and mind as I exhale. 

Earlier today, I felt so heavy, weighted down by the overwhelming question of what I want to do with my life. There is so much I want to do, but I feel like I have so little time. If I could, I would love to have like 3 lives. One to learn as much as I want about myself, then like college-wise (education), and learn about others, and then the next to use the information and do something with it, and the 3rd to grow and enjoy myself, ans help people in every life so i could make more of a difference. I guess I should just do that in my life right now, and balance it, but it's so much. I want to help people, I want to learn, I want to love, I want to grow, and make a difference. But doesn't everyone? How does everyone do it? How can they just pick a path of life and know it's the one?

Ah, anyway, that's why I go to the ocean and let the waves take away my questioning. When I look into the ocean, it makes me feel as if everything is okay and doesn't have to be figured out. The waves teach me I will climb and fall, and I will change and grow as the days do…

Rising with the Sun 

The morning has come, and so has the sun.

Around six to seven a.m., the new day has begun. 

Buzzing bees, lilting lilies, the smell of rain remains, musty and earthy, mixed with dirt. The scent reminds me of the plants' thirst and my thirst to feel alive. 

I do, in the morning, feel alive when everything is new and fresh. 

The sun radiates waves of color that have never appeared the same. 

I feel alive when I wake in the morning, when the moon waves goodbye, for the day is here, and life is vibrant and such a beautiful sight. 

I am made from the strings woven by my brain, 

Neurons crafted from glitter, green mud, and beads.

stretched, compressed, and shaped into me. 

I am shaped by my mom's poetry, pesto, warmth, and compassion. 

I am shaped by my dad's songs, stir-fries, perseverance, and kisses. 

I come from my sister's sassiness, priceless handshakes, and love. 

I am supported by my best friend's kind eyes, comforting words, and laughter that makes our ribs ache. 

I am defined by the people who love me. 

I am from the warm, healing sun that I soak up on the grass and wooden floors.

Lying on my dog’s golden fur, Earbuds in, I feel the bass rhythm as I listen for inspiring words. 

Who I am and what I draw from the beat tastes like summer and makes me want to dance. 

I come from an unquenchable thirst to create and learn.

I come from a little girl who wants to be kind. 

I am filled with emotions that color my blood with rain.  

I am from everything from a beautiful, icy December day to eating watermelon, smelling sweet flowers, and hearing cicadas while fishing in a pond. 

I am from the relaxing rainforest that can become a jungle if I let it.

I carry a deep need to be loved and included.

I am from what I feel, what I think, what I do, and who I choose to be.

Verse 1: 

These days are getting hard

I thought I saw my scars

When will I learn we all wax and wane?

Free the flow within, 

flood the fret and shame. 

Bathe in the sun, 

wash away the pain. 

Chorus:

Maybe we can hug the tightness,

then let it breathe. 

Maybe all we need is something to be.

We want someone to hold, 

To stop our aching.

Even if it's just for a moment, when we are breaking.  

Verse 2:

Maybe all this angst is how we show our faces. 

The wind shapes the earth, like life rearranges.

How do you find yourself in a world that's in pieces? 

Born from a broken mold, how can we find our places?

Chorus: 

Maybe can hug the tightness,

Then let it breathe. 

Maybe all we need is something to be.

We want someone to hold, 

To stop our aching.

Even if it's just for a moment, when we are breaking.  

Bridge:

But I keep coming back to what I washed away

Dirt on my hands and my face

I want to feel good

I want to be okay 

Who is this girl who holds this hate?

Chorus:

We can hug this tightness,

Then let it breathe. 

All we need is to be seen

Want someone to hold to stop our aching

Even if it's just for a moment, when we are breaking.  

When we are breaking…

Verse 1: 

When will I be enough?

When I'm withered and worn too rough?

When will you be satisfied? 

When my love pours just for you?

Pre-chorus: 

How can I love the things I do?

When I do them just for you? 

Chorus: 

How can I be

True to myself

Why can’t I be 

True to myself 

Just let me be 

True to myself

Verse 2: 

When will I be enough?

When my emotions run dry?

When will I be satisfied? 

Will I only be content when life feels right?

Pre chorus

How can I love the things I do?

When I do them just to be seen by you?

Chorus

How can I be 

True to myself

Just let me be 

True to myself

Got to be

True to myself

True to myself