I offer this to you

My friend!

Why do you suffer so?

Why do you

weep so profusely?

Why are you so filled

with anguish?

Suffer if you must.

Your suffering will nourish

young buds

as they break through

the fragrant earth

and stretch toward the sky.

Weep if you will.

Your tears are unavoidable

until the day comes

—after the long season of rains—

when you look up

to see the sun.

It is good to struggle.

Because unless we pass

through the dark depths of night

we cannot greet

the noble dignity

of the dawn.

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This poem appeared as an entry in the author’s diary, dated January 8, 1951.