Youth is a beautiful thing.
You are the blossom that can’t wait to bloom,
the bud that has just opened –
ready to take in all the sunlight
that’s being given to her.

It feels like a promise:
“You can have it all.”
You are on the cusp of your freedom.
The world is yours
and you are stronger than light.
Or so you feel.

Ain’t no mountain high enough,
and no valley low enough.
You are this little atom
that travels through the universe
at the speed of light.
Often without any direction.
Nothing to lose, but everything to win.

You grow older.
You realize that while youth may be a state of mind,
your looks wither away. Slowly, but steadily.
The peachy ass turns a fruity orange
turns a saggy plum turns a dried-up date.
That’s okay – just remember to enjoy your fruits
as long as you have them.

The older you get, the more people try to burden you.
Responsibilities. Everywhere.
Social conventions. Dogmas.
The little atom – once so carefree and abundant-
turns into a cluster of expectations.
Under the microscope
it looks like a virus.

Upon closer inspection – it’s a pandemic.
It has befallen all of the Western World.
Like an ulcer it eats the body up from inside.
You wonder if you have always eaten an apple a day?
Maybe not. Maybe you should have.

You count the money on your bank account.
It’s enough to buy yourself some silicone, botox and fillers.
Pay No Attention To The WoMan Behind The Curtain.
The curtain looks nice.
It’s peachy pink. (Because peach.)

A renowned doctor uploads a YouTube video
in which she warns about the consequences of distraction.
Her videos get censored.
She doesn’t comply with the mainstream line of thought.
Please remove yourself peacefully.

I’m sitting alone on the wet grass, eating an apple.
I ponder the size of the universe
to figure out if 8 billion people can travel through it freely at the speed of light.
I come to the conclusion that they can.
Why?
Well I just thought if my head can hold my 8 billion thoughts a day…
You get the analogy.

I look at the sky. There’s a ufo.
It’s the second one this week.
Some funky atoms wave at me.
They ask me for directions.
I spell the word “nature” in 120 different languages.
They immediately understand.

Life is good. I’m an atom now.
Traveling through the universe at the speed of light.
Sometimes a bit slower, to enjoy the views.
I know my directions and keep following my trajectory.
Sometimes I make myself some healthy fruit salad for breakfast.
To remind myself of the fruity variety nature has in store for us.