If We Must Die Poem by Franchesca Mia Tortoza

We all know that nothing will ever last forever,
That nothing in our world will ever truly stay.
We know that no two people will stay together,
Nor will there be anything that will not fade away.

We all know that our lives on this earth will have to end,
We all know that we can't forever breath, forever live,
And though our times of death indeed do depend,
It will come—that much we all have to eventually believe.

But I do ask; but I truly wonder
If we must die, why not live our one life to the fullest?
Why not stop constantly trying to be better?
Why not do all we can? Why not live to the best?

Why not—much like a lily in bloom—
Spread as much light as we can—or we could at least try
Why not in our life, for enjoyment make room?
Why not be who we choose? Why not this all, if one day, we must die?