Given a Choice

How many lashings
How much anguish
before the collapsing
inevitable vanquish

One holds the course steady
using the pain as as her flight
for those who are ready
to follow the night

The darkness conceals the wounds that are there
allowing the path to take a new turn
the peaceful embrace when heart is aware
with every new cut, a lesson is learned.

To lash out in anger, holds no relief
to love and be kind
binds all her grief
pain becomes peace, then heals her mind

a lifetime of bearing pain from the start
can become toxic infection
it can callous the heart
or become resurrection

given a choice between pain and malaise
her choice will be clear
through the choking gray haze
life's lessons appear.