Thank You, Pain!

By K Lakshanya

“Verily. With every hardship, comes ease.”

- Quran 94:5

Little did I know, oh! rocks that shattered my fragile four-walls

You were but making way for my palace of brick and stone;

Little did I wonder, oh! my ‘path-breaking’ obstacles and pitfalls

But for you, how could I have ever spread my wings and flown?

Little did I appreciate, oh! pangs of fear, oh twinges of dread

The gifts of courage and acceptance you generously bestowed

Little did I notice, oh! little thorns upon whom I unwittingly tread

The seeds of caution and resilience you silently sowed.

Little did I foresee, oh! bitter, distressing, painful night

Your comforting moonlight; your hopeful, twinkling stars

Little did I imagine, oh! loneliness and quiet,

Your silent lullaby would soothe and heal my scars.

Little did I fathom, oh! gales of guilt, regret and woe;

You would carry me to a fulfilling life.

Little did I think, oh! waves of sorrow and dismay

You would teach me to bounce back from strife.

Little did I believe, oh! failures, disappointments, setbacks;

You would fill me with humility and grace.

Little did I expect, oh! my bruises, cuts and cracks;

You, of all, would set my inner fire ablaze.

Little did I envision, oh! momentary pleasures of which I painfully let go

You would, in my toughest expeditions, be my support and guide.

Little did I anticipate, oh! drops of sweat who fell from my brow

You would soon be repaid with tears of elation and pride.

Little did I know, why good times' visits were brief

While pain and sorrow stayed beside me all along

Little did I then understand, there's no teacher like grief -

oh! Pain, you were making my successful but fragile self strong.

Little do I fear anymore, for I have now befriended bad times.

Little can grief do to cage me, I am now liberated to soar far and high

The roaring tempest now sounds just as sweet as the mellifluous wind chimes;

Tumultuous winds can no longer hinder my journey through the endless sky,

My journey through the endless sky.

By K Lakshanya