Conversations with pain
Pain is a messenger, listen
but beware of the
more this, less that kind -
the kind that demands
be different,
do better,
try harder -
the shouty false prophet
with the nasty aftertaste.
Pain is a messenger, listen
closer now for the
I am here, walk with me kind
the kind that says
I know your worth, claim me
Let me carry the full weight of your despair kind.
The whispering invitation back to love
that tastes like freedom.
—Amanda Cooke