When we were

born

we were either

pushed out

or taken out —

either way,

our first move

wasn't our own.

our first cry

was not a cry of joy

but of lament —

pulled from the

warm floating

safety

into a cold 

gasping air,

each of us born

out of a stubborn

reluctance

to be here.

Here comes our

future feelings:

regret

loss

grief

suffering –

all of it built upon the

wounded foundation

of our

original pain,

the one we did not

choose

and our endless

maneuvering

to avoid these

fucking feelings

at every turn

are all in vain,

for we were born

saying goodbye

to what we

love.