Emotions Are Us? Poem by RIC BASTASA

did we create
these emotions
within us?

did we ever
like what we
feel?

those that we
think harm
us at the end
we want discarded
and yet they are
there always there
remaining
as is

we ask them to
leave but they
are always strong
and they keep on
staying
simmering

emotions, these
crazy emotions
of hate and anger
and pain
they are here
to stay like
forever and ever
remember

emotions of joy
and bliss and
happiness and
state of grace
satiation and
nearing perfection

they leave us
when they want to
they leave us
emptied and
suspended
we are

they come they go
outbursts and
flashes and
flickers and lights
and darkness in
constant profusions
when they like to

we do not create them
they invade us
we do not command them
they dominate us
we do not master them
they enslave us

only if we will only if
we will allow them to be