Woke up with a very strange feeling today. 

This one was different and hard to describe. 

Never felt it before so my being was puzzled and mystified. 

Didn’t hear the usual chuckles or the tickling going up my spine 

as I verbalize the same joke I have for the last 30 years after opening my eyes. 

Nothing could prepare me for what I felt right after, 

a foreign sensation I sensed as I tried to get up from bed.

What’s that? 
“That’s called pain. You’re becoming an adult.“ 
What? Why? Who told you that?
“God told me to tell you.“ 
Why? I don’t want to grow up. Why would God say that? 
“Because he says so.“ 
But wait..did he say anything else? 
“He said life is a game of karmic actions and unwanted wonder. 

Sometimes you lose and sometimes..well, you lose and suffer 

and lose again until you wake up and realize it’s just a game” 
Pain and suffering? Are these symptoms of it? 
“Yes.”
That ain’t what my mama told me.
“Your mama wasn’t there it was God.”
Come on man..Seriously?
“He said you need to play your role in society.
Pay your mortgage and bills thru sweat and hard labor.
Play nice with family and friends even if you don’t want to.
Get up and go to sleep everyday without noticing you’re asleep or awake.
Walk, move, bend, stretch but don’t make a scene.
Tell her you think she looks nice and don’t dare to mention her weight.”
Get married, have children, and dry out.
Have your lunch but don’t taste it.
Walk the dog and pull the stroller without expressing your feelings.
Sit on that chair until they’re done punching you.
Get up tomorrow and do it all over again.”
Well this sucks. 
“Yeah I know.”
Who are you?
“Your conscience.”
God Damn it!

— Artistic Buddha