Against Empire
Poetry Fridays with Jim Moore
Four years ago I told my therapist I was tired of trying to live a big life. I didn’t want to do amazing things that everyone witnessed. I wanted a garden box. A windowsill filled with greenery. Time to bake bread and go for long walks. A cat purring on my lap as I sink into a favorite book.
As a child, everyone told me to expect big things from my life. But I don’t want big things. I want a sunny day spent enjoying nature with good friends, and laughter echoing through my dreams.
For the past four years, I’ve been trying to build a life that fits me. Small. Gentle. Patient. Sustainable. This poem, Against Empire by Jim Moore, has been a sort of mantra for me as I undertake this journey. Maybe the words will resonate for you, too.
Against Empire
by Jim Moore
Small olives taste best.
Small stars shine farthest.
Small birds call
most sweetly. Small lives,
we are small, small lives.
As always, whatever you do, you do well! I think mastering living small IS a BIG accomplishment. We should all be so lucky to discover the riches that you are discovering!