meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
On Being with Krista Tippett

The Facts of Life by Pádraig Ó Tuama

On Being with Krista Tippett

On Being Studios

Sociology, Spirituality, Religion & Spirituality, Krista Tippett, Arts, Culture, On Being, Society, Society & Culture, Science, Social Sciences

4.710.2K Ratings

🗓️ 30 October 2020

⏱️ 3 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Pádraig Ó Tuama reads his poem, “The Facts of Life.” This poem is included in our “Taking the Long View” playlist on Spotify, which we created to get grounded in reflection that will be with us the day after the U.S. election and far beyond, whoever wins. Find more of Pádraig’s poems on our website, where we’ve recently launched an entirely new way to Experience Poetry.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

The facts of life written and read by Padre Gotuma

0:30.0

The truth of life

0:35.0

That you were born and you will die,

0:40.0

That you will sometimes love enough and sometimes not,

0:44.0

That you will lie if only to yourself,

0:49.0

That you will get tired,

0:52.0

That you will learn most from the situations you did not choose,

0:57.0

That there will be some things that move you more than you can say,

1:02.0

That you will live, that you must be loved,

1:07.0

That you will avoid questions most urgently in need of your attention,

1:13.0

That you began as the fusion of a sperm and an egg of two people who once restrangers and may well still be,

1:23.0

That life isn't fair,

1:26.0

That life is sometimes good and sometimes even better than good,

1:31.0

That life is often not so good,

1:35.0

That life is real,

1:37.0

And if you can survive it well, survive it well,

1:41.0

With love and art and meaning given were meaning scarce,

1:47.0

That you will learn to live with regret,

1:51.0

That you will learn to live with respect,

1:56.0

That the structures that constrict you may not be permanently constricting,

2:03.0

That you will probably be okay,

2:07.0

That you must accept change before you die,

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from On Being Studios, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of On Being Studios and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.