I heard once that people in India protect themselves from Tigers by wearing masks on the back of their head when walking through the jungle.

Tigers only attack if they think you can't see them coming, they say.

I must have thought I was going to need that information some day because I still remember it over fifteen years later.

I have not yet been to India, and I've not yet been stalked by a tiger.

At least, I assume so; I've never worn a mask on the back of my head.

Then again, for all I know, India and tigers don't exist

I did go to Thailand once, though. By plane

What a thing

"Here, get in this metal tube and it'll take you to Thailand"

"Whatever you say!"

And so they tell me I've been to Thailand

We are on a giant rock

Catapulting through a vacuum

(They say)

And I pretend to agree

Like I have any choice or say in the matter

My make believe understanding is a salve for the existential dread that lurks like a stalking tiger around every corner

In truth, I know very little

I possess even less

But this, I do have:

Knowledge, experience of suffering

Knowledge, experience of you

Lo, how much more bearable the suffering

In light of you