One Truth We Can Count On

We have no idea when we will pass from this world,
We only know that we will,
And yet, we turn our backs on this fundamental truth,
The one truth in life that we can absolutely count on,
The truth is that one day we will die.

This really must be the reason that we 
Try so desperately to hold on to all that we love.
We cling and grasp fiercely
To all that we hold dear, 
And to the illusion of control.

We struggle and fight to avoid the truth
Of the impermanence of our lives,
But we cannot, no matter how hard we try.
Death lurks behind us, stalking us with each step we take,
With each breath, we are closer to the end.

If we can begin to accept this one fact,
This most fundamental truth of life,
That it will one day our lives will end, 
We could liberate ourselves from suffering.

If we release the notion of permanence,
We could live much more peacefully,
Embracing each moment, knowing that the next may very well be our last,
Living each moment with reverence and fervor,
This is the definition of true freedom,
And of peace.

We have no idea when we will pass from this world,
We only know that we will,
And yet, we turn our backs on this fundamental truth,
The one truth in life that we can absolutely count on,
The truth is that one day we will die.