You think you are immune, you think you are free.
From the same fate that awaits them, you, and me.
The future is debatable, the moment is always another.
Like somehow it’s possible not to suffer.
If you don’t think about it, it won’t happen to you.
If you don’t think about it, it’s not true.
Just for the others. The unlucky ones. The sick ones. The old ones.
The ones sorted away in special units and homes.
Sorted away so we can live freely.
Sorted away so life can continue indefinitely.
The pain and suffering borne by a few.
Everything kept neat and tidy out of view.
But you are not immune, you are not free.
From the same fate that awaits them, you, and me.
The future is not debatable, the moment is always right here.
And the suffering you avoid is actually something quiet dear.
If you don’t think about it, it will still happen to you.
If you don’t think about it, it’s still true.
For everyone. The lucky ones. The well ones. The young ones.
The people in the cities, in villages, and even the nuns.
Pretending to be immune and unable to life freely.
Pretending that life continues indefinitely.
The pain and suffering held inside by all.
Guarded by fortresses and barriers with 100-foot walls.
You think you are immune, you think you are free.
From the same fate that awaits them, you, and me.
But if only we could see there’s no need to keep running.
We would come to see the messages we’ve been shunning.
That as long as we despise and push away impermanence and strife.
We deprive ourselves of the ephemeral beauty of being fully in this life.
So although sometimes it seems distant, we are never any further, or closer, than those who lay taking their last breath.
For from the instant we are born, we are most intimate with death.
Death is our constant companion.
Who stays loyal by our side.
And who will always be there to remind us, sometimes whispering, sometimes shouting.
Just how fleeting and precious and wonderful it is to be alive.
Much love,
Joe
In memory of my grandma, Moira Hunt, who passed away today, Friday June 16th 2023, age 93.
i’m sorry for your loss xxxooo