This Life

Do not take for granted this life

or this face that greets you

tonight in the mirror.

All that you know and believe

can change in an instant

and be no more.

Do not think you are privileged

even though

you may be greatly loved.

Jesus himself was greatly loved

by the Father and yet

he became the womb of suffering

for all mankind.

We cannot truly, or ever,

understand how love can allow this.

We cannot truly, or ever understand why

we are here on this earth

with such uncertainty

so vulnerable to sin and its thorns.

I myself have seen life change

this day, in an instant

and what was once a stone upon my mantle

shatter and blow away like broken glass.

And so, what shall any of us do with this dilemma?

Continue to live, believing something kinder awaits us?

Love . . . even though these embers will die one day?

Yes, and forgive . . .

Let us not cling to the suffering

Love . . . while this moment is ours to live.

Love . . . even though we may never unravel its mystery.

Joanne Cucinello