Nerve pinching is the task
for each of us to decide
the next move that will make us
into the person that others
look to for inspiration.

And beneath the satisfied soles
of all those who come to inspire
is the rhythmic refrain
of passion.

Passion is not only
what you do on the weekend
or at night, after clocking out
from a nine to five, a six to ten
or the morning after wiping
the dirt from your eyes after a graveyard shift-
passion is the spark inside
bound by no check, rather it is led by a determined heart.

Passion does not care if you are 
“smart” if you are “rich” or if
you are “put together”-
passion is a pedestal with only first place 
there is you and there are blocks in the road 
that, like Tetris, will fall in place.

Passion beats fear by a knockout,
it is your Cassius Clay-
yes, passion allows you to dodge the uppercuts and flying fists of life
with a gold-plated smile
passion cannot be beaten down.

Passion is you in your most
authentic form, it is not the brown walls of a cardboard box-
passion is a box cut up and
put back together into a sculpture mirroring your wildest dreams 
passion is re-Purpose. 

Passion is healing 
it your inner child playing wild, 
no fear of scolding-
passion is love for you first and foremost, 
no care for those who think you may 
“be doing the most.” 

Passion takes grit
but it is also cheesy butter grits with 
sautéed shrimp, bell peppers,
and onions on top-
passion tastes heavenly, that’s why 
it’s meant to be shared with all 
who come to your table
let’s all commune over passion.