The Shape of Pain
The Shape of Pain
Pain has a shape:
An action and a reaction.
A shadow dance of Self.
If felt for long enough
We mold into the opposite shape
Of those causing us pain.
And when the pain is removed
We flow, like a tide pool
Into a footprint, becoming
The very pain that was caused to us.
If others come across us at this time
We lash out to those loving and kind
With the same pain that was dealt to us.
And they take the shape of our last pain.
Thus pain passes on its shape
Generations weeping
From broken heart to broken heart.
Only when we pause
While flowing in and out
Of the shape of our pain
Only when we refrain from shaping others
Do we stop the rebirth of tragedy.
It takes Patience and Awareness
And the willingness to forgive oneself -
To disbelieve the shadows that haunt us.
It takes openness and hope
And creativity to see how we
Created half of the shape of our pain
And that we are responsible for it.
And we just might find
That if we pause after pain
If we, instead of reacting -
Merely listen, accept, and heal
The Self.
If we take conscious responsibility
Of the shape of our Self.
Then the shape of pain fades
Becoming but a distant memory
Lost to our kin and family.
- Christina Marvel
