Double It, Give It To The Next Person

ID: "And One Warrior in The Field" (2020) by Anastasia Trusova on fineartamerica.com. An acrylic on linen painting of a pink and orange sunset behind a blue and green hill. In front of a pond reflecting the sky is the silhouette of a person with a long staff. In the foreground is a twisting tree with blueish leaves.

Double It, Give It To The Next Person

I WOULD DIE FOR YOU.

i would live for you

i would choose the harder path and endure the rest of my years without you by my side

i will not cherish bitterness

i will not sit in self-pity

i will not indulge vengeance

i will fight tooth and nail

to reclaim light

and joy

and rest

every kindness you gave me

i will pay forward

dying is easy

but i will not let your legacy die with you

and when my days are spent

and i take your hand again

it will be

after a life well lived

This piece sums up my thoughts on the oft-popular sentiment in the arts of expressing violence after loss. It was also inspired by the poetic stylings of Joshua David -- joshua_treenationalpark -- on Instagram. His timbre, rhythm, and cadence fit perfectly with his compassionate, spoken-word style. Imagine my surprise when he actually agreed to record a reading of my poem for the low, low price of a cinnamon roll recipe! Check out his page for his works.

Full credit for the background music goes to him, as well! "Forrest Green" by Joshua Tree National Failure on Spotify.