We Never Know

We never know how.

Walking along a beach

into the sand we reach

picking up a ring of gold

someone’s circlet of love

which slipped of their finger

as they sank below the very surf

which consumed many an island.

We never know where.

Buried beneath a rubble mountain

is a wallet never found

keeping sound the child

of someone praying on

for the safety of their baby

who in that picture only lives.

We never know when.

Receiving a message

from a letter or phone

the final words

of one who never saw the end

until it was already on them.

We never know how,

We never know where,

We never know when.

Why bother wasting,

with fights, fears, silence,

when we can love, live, speak,

during the time we have left?