Dispossessed

I carried you for 9 months, claims the mother
I carry you in my heart forever, contends the father
This has been with me for so many years, cries the owner
These are mine, claim we as our wealth we measure

And yet the only thing that travels with us forever
Is that regular breath that exits and enters
Even that lasting but for a moment here
A new one taking its place one after another

When the last one leaves, we don't know when
Of what use all that we gathered then?
Not a thing we possessed will come
Even the body we thought ours, abandoned

These simple words, forever remember
What we get here will stay here
Only the pain and longing will we bear
When we pass on from here to there

Let go of what goes away
Cherish whatever with you stays
With your fortunes, do not sway
Only for strength must you pray.