#cosmopolitan
The difference between a cosmopolitan,
Of which I am,
And a "globalist,"
Of which I am not,
Is in one's compassion & patience -
In one's respect & understanding.
A cosmo is a citizen of the world,
A denizen of the planet.
This is not,
As some may mistakenly think,
Some sovereign citizen nonsense.
This is respect for the law - universal,
Those enshrined & even those not.
This is recognition of another's country & governance -
Of their sovereignty & rights, in like identity.
A "globalist" believes, wrongly, that there should be
Only one "kind" of a world.
A planet under one "supreme doctrine,
Usually "manifesting" in supremacy & inferiority
And the "erasure" of distinction.
That one's "life" is superior
Because of another's "inferior" "lifestyle."
In "globalism," there is no compassion
And neither is there patience.
There is no respect for distinctions in/of life
And no understanding for different lifestyles.
Observe, and share your perspective -
But be respectful.
Judge, and share your verdict -
But be understanding.
In both the formations of them
And in their subsequent deliveries.
Otherwise, expect not to be seen or heard from.
Jul 30, 2025
Jul 30, 2025 at 12:57 PM UTC
a breeze scatters the ashes from my cigarette
all over my legs and onto the ground
now they make tiny mountains of rubble
along with burning villages where it's lights out
before their inhabitants could even think
of worshipping the sun
parting lovers never have much to say
but i think i'll write their names somewhere
and forge my signature on a love letter meant
for an ocean that is inexhaustibly rocking
while cursing the moon for always pushing it away
when it's just trying to fill her craters
the spoils of history go towards making
impermanent things permanent on things
impermanent like the arms of those unknown
and like my backpack swallowing pens
maybe it wouldn't happen if we stopped
romanticizing the ink
my body falls in pieces from the heavens while
you're on earth mingling with the best of them
and it's not until halfway through a cosmopolitan
that you realize you forgot to catch me and
now the ants on the ground are getting stuck
on a love that could have been
have you ever noticed the shape of hearts
gives them a symmetry that makes them
capable of being folded and neatly tucked away
out of all the people you've met in your life
how many of them would you reach in your pocket
and unfold one for
if there's a reason i've melted it's because
my cigarette tastes an awful lot like you
May 8, 2021
May 8, 2021 at 2:26 PM UTC
I don't know what it holds, I never did.
Although I can't traverse past the speed of light, of late I've been wondering what lies beyond this point. My journey to the west has triggered this feeling; the complement of nostalgia.
Strangely, I can hear the whispers from the other side in the chaotic and cacophony-ridden west. The beauty of a cosmopolitan.
I'm positive. The sounds are telling, like music from the Congo; Beautiful.
It's true. We live in Schrodinger's paradox.
But these sounds are telling.
Sep 22, 2019
Sep 22, 2019 at 10:44 AM UTC
In my striving to achieve
joy and happiness,
I find it useful
to study carefully
all the hundreds of cultures
of the world
to discover
how each culture
achieves joy and happiness
in their own unique way.
For example:
What food do they eat
to achieve nutrition-joy and taste-joy?
What music do they listen to
to achieve music-joy?
How do they dance
to achieve dance-joy?
How do they govern themselves
to achieve a joyful and happy society?
How do they feel and think
to achieve joy and happiness?
Aug 8, 2019
Aug 8, 2019 at 5:46 AM UTC
I look up, out of the car window,
and somehow I forget that I am here
and not there,
and it’s a momentary relief
mixed with bewilderment,
but then it ends,
and I’m crushed by where I’m not.
I don’t believe in a location called ‘home,’
but I miss certain locations
more than others,
and I’d like to feel in place.
Isn’t the world supposed to be full
of people who are also
confused and out of place?
I’m not the only one,
the only alien on this odd planet,
but when I look around,
I still feel isolated.
Apr 10, 2019
Apr 10, 2019 at 9:34 PM UTC
“Lool, maybe I could come whisk you away”
He quipped
Be serious! I’d love to
A date, on a date with you,
Nothing too serious, of course.
Maybe lunch, dinner and discourse.
I’d love to watch you laugh over a meal!
....delete
Well, if you’re serious we could fix
Something. I think I like you and it’d be nice
To meet. Let’s do something, Maybe ice cream?
Rufus and bees? Or a movie?
...delete
“Lool, big head”
... Enter.
“Hehe” – he goes.
Sep 25, 2018
Sep 25, 2018 at 5:41 AM UTC
Before the sun rise
Before you open your eyes
Before you check your cell
I will,
be there
Before you think a while
Before you say a word
Before you write something
I will,
be there
Before the dark silent nights
Before you start to dream
Before you wish something
I will,
be there
A promise to be felt.
Apr 5, 2018
Apr 5, 2018 at 10:36 PM UTC
(For context, I went to...)
British Kindergarten in England,
French Elementary in Switzerland,
International MS in England,
French HS, then Int'l HS in Korea,
(And then completed...)
Undergraduate studies in NJ, USA,
9-month gap year in Hong Kong,
Graduate studies in QC, Canada.
------------------------------------------------------------
I have shattered my identity.
Frequently. Involuntarily.
I have undergone assimilation.
Socially. Psychologically.
I have encountered discrimination.
Directly. Racially.
I have endured isolation.
Grievingly. Impotently.
I have ill-wished on others.
Subconsciously. Unintentionally.
HOWEVER –
I have learned to be human.
Individually. Collectively.
I have discovered empathy.
Emotionally. Compassionately.
I have gained knowledge.
Culturally. Geographically.
I have acquired expertise.
Intellectually. Linguistically.
I have become a citizen.
Locally. Globally.
Perhaps we who are born and meant to move,
Are intended to, and exist to locomote forever,
Walking lands, sailing oceans, mastering the world.
Jun 1, 2016
Jun 1, 2016 at 8:00 AM UTC
Cosmopolitan:
Up against the shower walls.
We were both naive.
Sep 22, 2014
Sep 22, 2014 at 5:54 PM UTC