Poem: Accusation

They lie 
Who say awakening is joy, 
Because that’s only part of the story. 
Because what you wake up to 
Transcends joy and sorrow— 
Or any other emotion you can identify—
Even as it includes them. 

As becomes apparent 
Whenever you encounter someone who’s suffering 
And find that the awakening  
Requires that you share the suffering. 

Which is why 
They lie 
Who say awakening is joy, 
Unless, of course, they say
That it’s the joy of Christ on the cross.