Sorrow greeted me with enthusiasm, wanting to be my friend.

My youth, in self deceiving beauty said, "go away, Go Away, GO AWAY", thinking, "Sorrow is much too ugly to be my friend."

"Very well", said Sorrow, "then I will be your companion."
And to himself he thought, " and you will hate me."

"Oh Sorrow", I thought, "I will escape you."

With all of my strength I ran.
With all of my wisdom I hid.
What lies I told myself thinking they too would deliver me.

With heaving breath and exhaustion I commended myself, "Surely, by my strength and wiles Sorrow will no longer find me."

Even though I could not always sense his presents, Sorrow was my companion.
The weight of his load was seen by those who know his secrets.
But I deceived myself, thinking "Sorrow has no value as a friend." And so my toil was heavy.

Again, Sorrow greeted me with enthusiasm, wanting to be my friend.

My toil, being too heavy to bear, forced me to seek friendship where I could find it.

"Oh Sorrow", I thought, "I will embrace you."

Sorrow taught me the secret of finding light birthed in darkness.
In the blazing bright of Sorrow's fire I saw ugliness and lies.

Lies to hide my ugliness from me; and so, not knowing myself, I could not know others.

Accepting myself brought understanding of others who cannot accept themselves.

understanding birthed compassion
compassion birthed peace

my load became lighter

my former companion, who I had hated, became my friend.

03/27/2002

Posted on 03/27/2002
Copyright © 2025 Carl Walker