For the dverse prompt.
The wind beneath the door
Pain is always present in the cold bite of the wind,
early morning, and the dead leaves swirling,
the bones, too many, too sharp beneath the old cat’s fur,
the deaths and the regrets, too many, too late.
They never go, the needle-pointed jabs of memory,
the jolt of absences, the ghosts at the elbow,
when the laughter gets too free, and the light
seems so bright it will never fade.
There is a reason in the ache but not a remedy,
a wound but not a lesson, a scar but not a healing.
The animal curls around the hurt, seeks not
to measure good times against bad, to remember.
Our pain is the shadow behind the sun;
without it would we even feel its golden warmth?
Jane Dougherty Writes 
Your poem echoes mine, but with much more eloquence. Brava!
Thank you, Ken! And I thought how our poems said much the same thing, but you said it more succinctly 🙂
“Shadow behind the sun” luv that image
Much💜love
Thanks Gillena xx
Nicely threaded. For me, pain is the price of admission but it’s also central to the initiation.
Thanks. Anyone who considers life ‘mean’ or ‘unfair’ when things don’t fall out exactly as they want is delusional.
Seeking not to measure good times against bad…that is the balance we all need. (K)
We seem to have an idea of natural ‘justice’ and ‘fairness’ that makes us protest at even small hardships, as if life owes us something.
I keep hearing people say they “deserve” this or that. No. No one deserves anything.
I know. I’m learning to turn off. If we all got what we deserved, the world would be a very interesting place.
Yes it would.
‘They never go, the needle-pointed jabs of memory,
the jolt of absences, the ghosts at the elbow,’
It certainly seems that way to me, and you express it so eloquently. I think perhaps we wouldn’t feel the warmth without the pain as well, unfortunately.
It seems inevitable to me, and maybe necessary too. A does of hardship would do some of the rich and famous no end of good.
And also those who trivialise the suffering of others.
Yes, a bit like pointing out the elephant in the room, that we’re not supposed to notice. Suffering makes us feel uncomfortable and we resent those who make us see it.
That probably explains something I have been struggling to understand!
Like blaming the victim.
There have been many times when I have wished for amnesia, when those needle jabs become too vicious…
They say the brain wipes the worst things, but I have a feeling it just masks them, like a local anesthetic that works, more or less…
So beautifully said, Jane:
“There is a reason in the ache but not a remedy,”
“Our pain is the shadow behind the sun;
without it would we even feel its golden warmth?”
I think it’s so true, Jane.
Thank you xx
Pain is part of life. A lot of people think they can airbrush it away, like wrinkles.
Yes, so true. 💙
The closing does leave us with some reason for the duality, to be able to feel everything more and maybe the pain and suffering expands our soul. Your verses are all so exquisite! 💓
Thank you 🙂 I was trying to say that pain is part and parcel of being alive, and perhaps without it, we wouldn’t realise what that means. It serves as a contrast, not in a positive sense. I don’t think suffering is good for the soul in any way at all.
I guess the trick is to rise above it. For me, takes some practice, haha! It’s definitely part of being alive!
It is, and we just have to pick over the pieces and get on with things 🙂
This line, in particular …. resonated deeply with me. Cheers.
I’m pleased it struck a chord 🙂
This is incredibly exquisite in its depiction of what resides within and all that’s endured, Jane. The closing lines took my breath away! 💝💝
Thank you, Sanaa. Sorrow is as much a part of our experience as happiness and usually more memorable.
“There is a reason in the ache but not a remedy,
a wound but not a lesson, a scar but not a healing.”
This resonated deeply, Jane. It is best to accept, if not embrace, pain.
I think you’re right. We all suffer pain and unhappiness of one kind or another and all we can do is accept it and get over it, keep memories, cry, but get on with living. I don’t think it’s character-building, not a question of getting stronger as if it’s some kind of challenge. Pain just is; part of life.
Yes, exactly! Pain is a part of life. I don’t like it when I am told hardships test my mettle. Excuse me! I am in fine fettle and don’t need no tests!
Ha ha! Christian teaching is very strong on ‘tests’ and offering up pain. It makes suffering something to be valued and welcomed. Stops the noise of the starving poor too 🙂
I think so is Hinduism! We, of course, bring karma into it! Suffering sure is glorified everywhere. 🙂
Funny how the ruling caste everywhere manages to keep its own suffering pretty low key.
Indeed! They are united by their greed for power and need to subjugate.
The same, the world over. Money has no colour, creed or nation. No loyalty no compassion, no sense of responsibility or justice.
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I love the imagery, but most of all that conclusion… maybe the pain is the darkness we have to have to sense the brightness in life.
Thank you, Bjôrn. Yes, I think that’s right. Pain, sadness, suffering are an integral part of life, just the reverse side of happiness.