A Happy Thought
Assuming this is the last day of my life
(which might mean it is almost the first)
I’m struck blind but my blindness is bright.
Prepare for what’s known here as death;
have no fear of that strange word forever.
Even I can see there’s nothing there
to be afraid of: having already been
to forever I’m unable to recall
anything that scared me, there, or hurt.
What frightened me, apparently, and hurt
was being born. But I got over that
with no hard feelings. Dying, I imagine,
it will be the same deal, lonesomer maybe,
but surely no more shocking or prolonged-
It’s dark as I recall, then bright, so bright.
by Franz Wright
from The Best American Poetry 2006
Scribner Poetry