You Know That It Aches A Lot Poem by RIC BASTASA

you know that it aches a lot
my dear
so why take it and
venture some more
with the exercises of
pain and sorrow
and strict discipline
like kung-fu at dawn
on top of the cliffs
and mountains

you shy away
and tell yourself
this is the proper time
to quit and hide
away from this
wasted time and
unnecessary trouble

you justify: i have other
better things to do
like licking sweet
strawberry ice cream
or drinking my
favorite light beer
or simply strolling
in the park with my
favorite dog
or having fun
with my younger
friends and singing
the videoke with
them on lazy afternoons
or visiting gardens
during holidays

or making money
and taking time to study
and evade with legal
validity my taxes

oh well, you make
your choice and it
does not matter.
it is your life and
this is my life.

but oh well, wait.
when it does not ache
anymore, the joy is
a hundred times
greater than the pain.

you see, i am always
feeling it...
now in thousands

this bliss of expressing
myself in the art that the
gods have handed
years, and many years ago

eons, and eons, and
so many have really
forgotten.

i just love this and
i could have taken
you to the place
of the burning bush
the holy ground
the love of my life
and my way of
communing with
all the gods.