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The Problem With Pain

Say it Plainly

By K.B. Silver Published about 20 hours ago β€’ 1 min read
The Problem With Pain
Photo by Danie Franco on Unsplash

the problem with pain is

we can only truly know our own

in our attempts to understand others

we compare it to historical data

experience, the only frame of reference

π“ˆ’β €π“‚ƒβ €β €Λ–β €πŸ₯€β €Λ–β €β €π“‚ƒβ €π“ˆ’

some imagine it to be a mystical journey

othering it

mythologizing the pain

giving it reverence

as if it holds some magical power

having seen pain overcome

in a way they admire

unaware of what you and I know

pain is not the catalyst for greatness

merely an ingredient in the current final product

a defect, that entered the life of the victim

no longer separable

π“ˆ’β €π“‚ƒβ €β €Λ–β €πŸ₯€β €Λ–β €β €π“‚ƒβ €π“ˆ’

pain can take no claim

it's not the originator of the

magic that streams from its

tormented creator

π“ˆ’β €π“‚ƒβ €β €Λ–β €πŸ₯€β €Λ–β €β €π“‚ƒβ €π“ˆ’

those with no drive

want to steal from those who know

who were thrown away

and still, they rise

π“ˆ’β €π“‚ƒβ €β €Λ–β €πŸ₯€β €Λ–β €β €π“‚ƒβ €π“ˆ’

those overcoming the teeming lack of

ambition and sight, they're drowning in

beaten down by circumstance

and still rise up every morning to

continue a losing fight

π“ˆ’β €π“‚ƒβ €β €Λ–β €πŸ₯€β €Λ–β €β €π“‚ƒβ €π“ˆ’

those watching from the sidelines

like the audience at a prize fight

will never understand the fact of the matter

the choice was made

deep down long ago

to build up character

to seek out love

to throw away fear

to run towards the light

K.B. Silver

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About the Creator

K.B. Silver

K.B. Silver has poems published in magazine Wishbone Words, and lit journals: Sheepshead Review, New Note Poetry, Twisted Vine, Avant Appa[achia, Plants and Poetry, recordings in Stanza Cannon, and pieces in Wingless Dreamer anthologies.

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Comments (1)

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  • Dharrsheena Raja Segarranabout 8 hours ago

    "pain is not the catalyst for greatness" That is soooo true! Loved your poem!

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