The Person Next to You

As I work on some new content, I thought it was time to share one of my favorite poems. This was written by Prissy Galagarian, and shared with me by a mentor, Vernon Wall. In regards to fraternity, this poem speaks to me about relationships, brotherhood/sisterhood, and the ability that fraternity gives us to truly know each other.

The Person Next To You

The person next to you is the greatest miracle

and the greatest mystery you will ever

meet at this moment.

The person next to you is an inexhaustible

reservoir of possibility,

desire and dread,

smiles and frowns, laughter and tears,

fears and hopes,

all struggling to find expression.

The person next to you believes in something,

stands for something, counts for something,

lives for something, labors for something,

waits for something, runs from something,

runs to something.

The person next to you has problems and fears,

wonders how they’re doing,

is often undecided and unorganized

and painfully close to chaos!

Do they dare speak of it to you?

The person next to you can live with you

not just alongside you,

not just next to you.

The person next to you is a part of you.

for you are the person next to them.