for—Who Knows?

You shouldn’t chase after the past
or place expectations on the future.

What is past
is left behind.

The future
is as yet unreached.

Whatever quality is present
you clearly see right there,
right there.

Not taken in,
unshaken,
that’s how you develop the heart.

Ardently doing
what should be done today,
for—who knows?—    tomorrow
death.

There is no bargaining
with Mortality & his mighty horde.

Whoever lives thus ardently,
relentlessly
both day & night,
has truly had an auspicious day:
So says the Peaceful Sage.

This reflection from the Pāli Canon is from, An Auspicious Day, Bhaddekaratta Sutta MN 131, translated into English by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.