Je me souviens

I remember being among them
The thin people in their opalescent skins.
I remember the moment of waking
When I finally knew what was at stake.

I remember my protests, my reasons
And the flat undeniable gaze of beings
Who were old when our race was born
And who vaguely resent their present charge.

I remember the moment of atonement
When I agreed to all the hurts and ills
Of this lovely, wild world.
And I remember, too, the agreement.

We learn by doing, if we learn
At all. And so I assume others' tasks
That I may know why they laboured
Futilely; why they lived
So impractically. Maybe next time

I will remember and be
Kinder. Maybe this time I can make
Their next efforts easier.
We are each here for a reason. Each

Has his own unique destiny
To fulfil. I know that now. I remember.