May | 2021 | A. B. Clarke

There are two types of pain …

Beautiful pain strikes our ego.
Beautiful pain strikes our pride.
Beautiful pain builds us up.
Beautiful pain teaches love.

Ugly pain strikes our soul.
Ugly pain strikes our honor.
Ugly pain tears us down.
Ugly pain teaches hate.

… that in the moment, are hard to discern.

Beautiful pain can feel ugly today.
Beautiful pain feels beautiful tomorrow.
Our minds cannot discern,
But our hearts know which is which.

Ugly pain can feel beautiful today.
Ugly pain feels ugly tomorrow.
Our minds cannot discern,
But our hearts know which is which.

Both hurt, in different ways; …

Beautiful pain hurts.
Beautiful pain is a struggle.
Beautiful pain transcends suffering.
Beautiful pain nourishes.

Ugly pain hurts.
Ugly pain is a struggle.
Ugly pain amplifies suffering.
Ugly pain kills.

… and both can break us, if we let them.

Fear walks away from beautiful pain.
Deceit weakens as we lie.
Isolation inspires others
To leave us to our fate.

Fear turns to embrace ugly pain.
Deceit weakens as we lie.
Isolation inspires others
To leave us to our fate.

Yet both can serve us …

Courage turns to face beautiful pain.
Integrity protects as we strengthen.
Vulnerability inspires others
To face their beautiful pain.

Courage walks away from ugly pain.
Integrity protects as we strengthen.
Vulnerability inspires others
To face our ugly pain.

… to grow.

A. B. Clarke