The Poet Pablo Neruda is a new discovery for me. This poem went right to my heart, like any good poem does. Poems wake us up. What's your favorite wake up poem?
You Start Dying Slowly
By Pablo Neruda
You start dying slowly
If you do not travel,
If you do not read,
If you do not listen to the sounds of life,
If you do not appreciate yourself.
You start dying slowly
When you kill your self-esteem;
When you do not let others help you.
You start dying slowly
If you become a slave of your habits,
Walking every day on the same paths…
If you do not change your routine,
If you do not wear different colors
Or you do not speak to those you don’t know.
You start dying slowly
If you avoid to feel passion
And their turbulent emotions;
Those which make your eyes glisten
And your heart beat fast.
You start dying slowly
If you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job,
or with your love.
If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain,
If you do not go after a dream
If you do not allow yourself
At least once in your lifetime,
To run away from sensible advice…
Try this: Pick one verse and play. Try something new. Walk a new path, let your eyes glisten, take a risk, feel passion, wear hot pink - or green, go somewhere you don't go, talk to a stranger. Wake up a little.
Happy Travels,
Denise
