Don't Tell Me About Pain
By Maximo P. Fabella

Mother experienced it as I burst forth
     into this world
I had my share of it growing into adulthood
The pain of first love
The pain of selecting a career
The pain of looking for work
The pain of growing family
The pain of failed relationship
The pain of immigration as one settles
     to confront the new and different
The pain of broken friendships
The pain of waiting in a hospital bed
     as one waits for the end.
Please, dont tell me about pain.