Slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
confusion
hurt
rejection
even the specter of Hades at the end of my long odyssey
my many toils come to nothing in the end

I can harden my heart against a sea of troubles
no man no woman no child will cause a tear to fall

your pain is your weakness - not my problem

or I can be truely brave...feel the pain
not harden my heart

leave it soft...vunerable...weak?

can I?

should I?

please dear god give me the strength to be weak...to be hurt...and to carry that hurt gently until it is transfomed into something else

not anger....but equinimity
not resentment...but compassion
not coldness...but calmness

for now let me cry...free of the temporary help of the sweet weed or fruit of the vine..let me be truely brave