Precious Gift

To be or not to be
is not a question
worthy of consideration,
dear prince.
The roller coaster ride
of your emotions,
treachery; conflicts;
self-doubt; despair;
is not enough reason
to convince
that committing suicide
would bring salvation.
Many of us
endured family rifts
and betrayal of trust
- the slings and arrows
of outrageous fortune
that you decry
with moral indignation -
yet we overcame them
with the minimum of fuss
and fortitude.
For we believe
that of all the gifts
one can receive,
life is the most precious.
One we should accept
with gratitude.

© Luigi Pagano