I mpermanence
I revel in how the flowers wither
and the mountains become dust;
in how the clouds cannot hold on very long
to the weight of their own existence;
in how the fire slowly dies in its quest to keep us warm,
leaving the ember to glow farewell, then become ashes;
in how the setting sun paints the twilight,
and the dusk becomes the liberation of the day.
I revel in the fragility of the breath that leaves my lungs,
the memories that wither,
and the faiths that become dust.
I revel in the hearts that cannot hold on too long
to the weight of their pain, or the heaviness of love.
Bless these wrinkles that have come to line our faces,
and praise the wisdom mere youth has bequeathed.
There is a certain grace in the transience of our joys,
in the farewells we bid,
and the friendships that find us, then leave us.
I revel in deliverance, in repetitions,
in how the endless will end, only to begin once again.
I cannot promise you tomorrow,
but I vow you salvation in finding horizons.
There is nothing ever present,
nothing ever lasting.
The only thing certain is doubt,
and the only forever is now.
Sham’aa Shareef
2854, Batch of 2010