What dies?

We build and build
and build up
ourselves

We accomplish
and say
I did it
we achieve
and say
I did it
we acquire
and say
I did it

We diet
and say
I have control!
We exercise
and say
I have control
We deny ourselves
and say
I have control

We look good
and say
I am beautiful
We dress well
and say
I am beautiful

We are kind
and say
I am good
We help someone
and say
I am good
We are compassionate
and say
I am good

We remember God
and say
I am very good
We are pious
and say
I am very good
We pray and fast
and say
I am very very good
We engage spiritually
and say
I am the very best! :)

Ah but how much
of this I
this successful, very good, spiritual
self
can we take
to our death?

Isn't death
the end of that
built-up I?
Isnt death
the loss of
everything I?
Isn't that why
we fear death?

And isnt that why
we fear life?
Because we know
it is possible
to lose it all,
to lose the built-up I?

Perhaps
there comes a time
when we
might pause
in this building up
of I
and ask
What am I
if I don't
build myself up?
What am I
just as I am?
What am I
just as I was?
just as I have
always been?

What lives
and what dies?

Perhaps then
we can face death
in life itself
Perhaps then
as the Buddha said
we can die
before we die
and so finally
live once and for all