[Poem] Notes Regarding the Living Heart

In recognition of Secretary of State Clinton's historic visit to Laos today, I'm presenting a poem from my 2009 book, Tanon Sai Jai:

Notes Regarding the Living Heart

A single seed can turn into a forest.
A single heart can transform a nation.
To be brave is jai ka.
To be generous is jai kwan.
To test the body, climb a mountain.
To test the soul, meet another.
To find happiness, meet as strangers,
But don't stay that way.
With a sabaidee, greet the days, one by one.
With a khop jai and a smile, do what you can
To change worlds, even one inch, one hand at a time.

That is the path of the jai,
Human and forever growing.