The Best Things in Life

In semi-slow motion I move down the urban walkway in london........Today I realize I’m one day farther from my birth and a day closer to death......wallahi this is not bad news this is the way I stay motivated.......I still have much to do, as I entertain the thoughts of my ever approaching demise..........the soles of my K-swiss punish the ground beneath me. I stop at the pay phone to call home and I notice an old man noticing me.......Looking at the man and his clothes I couldn’t tell which one was older what I could tell was both the man and his clothes carried an odor that was a quarter sweat and a quarter alcohol the rest was old heavy cologne that was so strong, it distracted me from finishing dialing on the phone...............I found myself in a zone staring in...then...........When his eye caught my eye my heart jumped because it was embarrassing don’t know if it was embarrassing because my shoes looked better than his or because I hadn’t lost my loved ones or because he thought that I thought that I was better than he was or simply because on the other hand I was looking deep in the eyes of a strange man............that was probably it because it was easy for me to understand oddly on this mans filthy body............ the only thing clean was his wedding ring wrapped around his third dirty finger.......For a dirty old man he was rather composed he turned towards me and casually walked into my personal space so close I could feel his breath on my face all the things in me telling me to back away were not as strong as my desire to hear what he had to say.

then he spoke and said...

I heard a woman sing a song today.

You’ll never guess what she said.

That woman told me that the best things in life are free.

She must use the word “free” only as monetarily
not free like it didn’t cost anything
and anyways who is she to sing
about the best things in life?

ya know?

what are the best things in life...
is it love
is it happiness
is it a good husband a good wife
is it fame and fortune
is it seeing your name in lights
is it honor
is it freedom
is it knowledge and wisdom
is it charity
is it mercy, peace
is it loyalty
is it appreciation
is it salvation
is it satisfaction
is it self realization

Now, I want you to tell me
which one of these things you gonna get for free

It may not cost you a dime
but it may cost you a lifetime

With these old eyes
I’ve seen a grown man hold his head and cry
pursuing the best things in life

a leader looks in the eyes of his followers and lies
pursuing the best things in life

an 18 year old boy is shot and dies
pursuing the best things in life

a motherless child sucks poison out of a pipe
pursuing the best things in life

a young girl sells her body to the camera and lights
pursuing the best things in life

And she has the nerve to tell me
the best thing in life are free?
Hey youngblood, what are you willing to pay for the best things in life?

Are you willing to kill or die
for the best thing in life?

Or are you gonna live a lie
for the best things in life?

I didn’t answer.


I couldn’t answer.
My thoughts returned to my ever approaching demise
and I realized feisal you really have more thought to do......life isn't just about career and money

I rest my case..............old man at euston station you really opened my eyes!!!!!


ramadhan karim to all you!