From numbing midnight black to the lively light, my eyes open to the world,
my world opening my eyes. Living by the ins of the day, learning to control the outs,
my head whirls with the thrill, the thrill of living.
New adventures bring the song of life, the energy that fills the soul, pushing, pulling,
this way, that way, over here, over there. The paths we create are the paths we follow.

From numbing dull gray to the lively colors of music, my songs open my soul,
my soul opening my songs, the strains meshing into one another until it collapses.
Collapses into the unity of emotional and mental stability.
The gift of wealth given by my flute far outweighs the gift it receives, wonders of equality and sharing and their true meaning boggling the mind every sweet sound it sounds.

From numbing training to the lively performance, my words open my past into my future,
my future opening my past. The religion of my people flowing through my mouth, and I, the messenger, the carrier, seeking to enlighten myself in new discoveries.
Singing to what has left, singing to what is now, singing to what will be, I point my metal finger to the words on old paper and welcome myself into the world I have not yet seen.

From numbing sitting for hours to the lively pictures of a land far away,
my heart opening for my family, my family opening my heart. Treasuring what I have,
what I have been given, and what I continue to receive through the love of others. Despite the lengthy travel it takes to feel the warmth, the true warmth always exists,
one ocean, two continents, a galaxy, a universe away, the bonds never perish.

From numbing love to lively inspiration, my art opening for my students,
my students opening my art. The gift of teaching is not only a gift for the student,
but for the teacher as well. Life illuminating their several paths, and I being the guide,
the guide that drives one towards excellence and compassion. Learning martial arts, learning love, learning tolerance, learning humanity, becoming a foundation, a foundation of a generation that will outlive me, a generation that will be known always.

From numbing midnight black to the lively light, my eyes open to the world,
my world opening my eyes. The candles flicker in and out, tears lining my wet face,
an aisle lit by my elders before me. Waiting, beckoning. At the end, I see nothing,
though I know what is there. I walk with great care, the soft mat beneath my bare feet giving into my weight, and a pause. A belt of black being tied around me,
a lively light soon behind me, another lively light ahead.