You know you're alive when you're listening
When you're hearing the world
speaking to you
Through poetry or music or rushing water
or silence

You know you're alive when you can feel the air
vibrating in your bones
through your flesh
into your soul
profound

You know you're alive when you're holding someone,
holding a life, young or old,
and you feel a connection like fire
unbreakable, between spirits
like a chain.

You know you're alive
when you see something beautiful
and stop.

Just to look.

Just to feel it.

Just to live.