pleasure/pain

what would it mean
to take it in turns

to take it all
in stride

not waiting for
the perfect vacation
beach breeze, palm trees
to relax

but to pause
here and now
amidst the chaos

stand still
watch it whirl
watch it all come and go

if you can’t help but want
the pleasant things

if you can’t help but prefer
pleasure to pain

you’re not alone

but i invite you to imagine
just for a moment

what it would mean
to let go of preference

if it made no difference
whether the next moment
brought pleasure or pain

if you believed you stood to gain
and stood to lose
equally from both

can you let go of needing
to feel a certain way?

i know it’s a lot to ask
and i am no master

these are just things
i’ve decided to consider

i’ve decided to ask
what if.