henry tucker

cleats - digital rebel, june 07

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 bitter
potion by which the physician within you heals
your sick self. therefore trust the physician,
and drink his remedy in silence and
tranquility:

for his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided
by the tender hand of the unseen,

and the cup he brings, though it burn your lips,
has been fashioned of the clay which the potter
has moistened with his own sacred tears.

~kahlil gibran, the prophet [ on pain]

peace be with you henryboy....