life: it is suffering.

knowing this 

does not help.

life. it is suffering.

this does not quell 

my mother’s fears.

and we say,

“life. it is suffering,”

as if it is life who is selfish,

as if it is life 

with greedy palms.

still.

life is suffering.

but we would not hurt

if we did not love.

no water flows

from hearts of ice.

I choose this river

of a thousand sorrows;

I choose this river

of a thousand and one

joys.

above all, I will love.

and for this reason,

life: it is suffering.