FAVORITE POEM #6

Celebrate National Poetry Month!

Today's favorite poem comes from my father. He has always loved poetry and is one of my most fervent supporters. And he is a poet, too, although he would never call himself that.

When I asked him what his favorite poem was, he said he thought his choice would surprise me. But it didn't at all. Because, over the many years and unbeknownst to him, he has given me three separate editions of this particular book. I've chosen to share with you one of the many sections he highlighted:

Pain


And a woman spoke, saying, "Tell us of Pain."
And he said:
Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.

Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.

And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy;

And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields.

And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.

Much of your pain is self-chosen. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.

- Kahlil Gibran