Before we get going, may I say I hope you all had a purrfectly perfect PUMPKIN Day! Elisabeth Kubler-Ross says, "The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."
I must have been chosen to be one of the "beautiful people" then, because I have been through an awful lot of both physical and emotional pain. After my late husband's suicide, my counsellor asked me, "How do you cope?" I believe I was gifted with an innate coping device - along with my faith, of course. I have always pretended to be happy when in pain, and apparently that is a sign of how strong someone is. I keep on smiling - and smiling some more. Here is my take on pain.
PAIN
Pain is the colour of a saw made of steel.
It looks like a grotesque grimace from Cain.
It sounds like the howling wind and the rain.
It smells like burning flesh on the grill.
It tastes like smoke from the dentist's drill.
It feels like shards of glass that kill.
Pain is a bitter potion designed to heal.
Pain is the colour of a saw made of steel.
It looks like a grotesque grimace from Cain.
It sounds like the howling wind and the rain.
It smells like burning flesh on the grill.
It tastes like smoke from the dentist's drill.
It feels like shards of glass that kill.
Pain is a bitter potion designed to heal.
Thanks to Denise Nesbitt and her plethora of personnages who plunder along each week to promote ABC Wednesday by visiting all the participants to see what they’ve posted. Everyone deserves a prize for the part they take in producing perfectly productive posts!
There's a lot of pain in the world sometimes, yet you seem to deal with yours astonishingly well, which is quite admirable.
ReplyDeleteLaughter does overcome pain....I to speak through experience!
ReplyDeleteWe met Denise last week, as you know, and despite my painful back, due to sitting in the car for long periods of time, but as soon as I met Denise, we laughed so much, that the pain was forgotten.
I have just written about our meeting, I hope you enjoy reading it.....I can't wait for us all to meet up, there sure will be pleny of laughter, soon diminishing Pain!
Di..xx
I feel the sting of pain as I read your words. The quote from Elizabeth Kubler-Ross is especially poignant. I'll probably use it today as a fb status b/c we have family members going through a lot of suffering and emotional pain. I applaud your coping skills and hope your faith continues to carry you onward and upward.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive and the last line is so meaningful and sums it all up!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful thoughts shared in here today!!
The PAIN has been put together very wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteYou must be a very strong person indeed, Leslie!
ReplyDeleteSuch strength is more than admirable.
ReplyDeleteIt has been said that you are not given more than you can handle-I disagree with that! I'd like to not have to handle the pain that is doled out to me!
ReplyDeleteBut, it certainly can deepen the compassion and understanding within you.
I agree with Nanka. That last line sums it all up.
ReplyDeleteOf course, there are people who sail through life quite happily with no problems, and then die peacefully surrounded by their loved ones, but I don't know who they are.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
Paula, I often wonder why I have been given a plateful, but then I ask myself, "Why not me?" And it's because I can deal with it even though I do NOT want to.
ReplyDeleteKay, I agree I'm a bit envious of those who sail through life in sheer joy and then pass peacefully on amidst their loved ones. But one has to accept the hand dealt. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI think we have all experienced some sort of pain in our lives, both physical and emotional. I find the toothaches the worst kind of pain, and I hear that dentist's drill going in my head right now...; )
ReplyDeleteYou certainly are a strong woman and could cope with very difficult and painful events in your life. There are many elderly people in our blogging world and all of them have had their painful moments. Nobody is spared. I wish that we all are as strong as you are, dear Leslie!
ReplyDeletesuch strength in the weight of this all
ReplyDeleteA very mindful post, Leslie, and I have great admiration for your strength. Keep smiling....
ReplyDeleteStunning poem Leslie. My senses agree with each sentence you wrote.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely powerful.
Yes, that's a very accurate description of pain, Leslie and I know you have beennthrough so much. You are a very strong and lovely lady.
ReplyDeletePoignant poem and thoughtful post.
ReplyDeleteLove your take on pain. Thanks for adding that beautiful quote on beautiful people. "Pain is ... designed to heal" - my fave part.
ReplyDeletePowerful poem, painful words... I like the optimism of the last line.
ReplyDeleteP is for...
Smiling makes everything seem better.... and can hide a thousand things x
ReplyDeleteI like the last line in your prose, Leslie. It sometimes seems as if the worst tasting medicine is the one that heals best. It also seems that in life pain will not be ignored and needs to be walked right through, despite the great discomfort it presents. But I imagine it can also help to put on an equally great grin like on the face of that smiling pumpkin.
ReplyDeletePain shoots through all the senses when reading your Post, Leslie. I believe there are reasons we may never know for the painful cards we are dealt, but if in the end you pass the tests and become one of the beautiful people, it just may be worth it all. Still, it doesn't make things easier, does it...?
ReplyDeletePain is difficult to bear but if it's possible humor helps !
ReplyDeleteGattina
ABC Wednesday Team
We don't know why we are given the painful things we are given, but you sure are a trooper! One day we will see clearly when we stand face to face!!!!
ReplyDeleteWithout pain, we won't be able to appreciate other things that life offers!
ReplyDeleteYour poem is poignant. So devastating to cope with a spouse's suicide. ALthough pain in our lives "makes us strong", as one who also has survived a lion's share of types of pain, I know that less of it, still would have been welcomed. Life is what we make of it, though and you shine!
ReplyDeleteWhat a plethora of p's. We did have a nice (and quiet) Halloween up at the cabin. Only our decorations Mr. Boo and Mr. Bat reminded us that spirits were afoot. - Margy
ReplyDeleteWow, great composition Leslie!
ReplyDeletePain is part of our journey.....great choice!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post, pretty helpful material.
ReplyDeletegames online