Pain

Recently, I've been dealing with some intense pain.  When at it's worst, I want to cry.  When it is at bay, I want to stay still in the hopes I can keep it away.  I know many people deal with pain.  This is a reflection on what the pain was doing to me and what I was going to do about it.

PAIN
It won't leave me.
No shift helps.
No rest helps.
It pokes and prods.
It steals my smile,
Replaces it with a grimace.
I don't want to talk.
I don't want to think.
I want to hide from the pain,
But it follows me.
It stays close.
It demands my attention.
It won't be silenced or satisfied.

My pain is closes to me.
It forms me.
It tries to change me.
It tries to break me,
But I won't let it.
I will be me, pain and all.
They will say they had no idea.
They will be amazed at what I smile through.

It tries to make me sad.
Instead, I must be thankful.
Thankful for what is not pain.
Thankful for what is still good, what still works.
Thankful that strength will come from the pain if I let it.