Pain seldom seems real

Pain seldom seems so real
when it is buried deep within, under layers and layers of mirthless emotions or it could be a faint flicker felt, however carefully concealed under bouts of resounding laughter.

There are days when one notices the telltale signs of pain, the manner in which the handcart puller moves along with his wares; his pain masked underneath the grime and sweat, toiling away, as the blazing sun sears at his back; unsure, whether the daily wages earned at the end of the day will be enough to feed the hungry mouths waiting back home.

Or it could be those special moments when the dazzling bride, resplendent in all her radiance and beauty steps into the threshold of a new life.

But on a closer view, one might see a lone tear sliding down from the corner of her eye which says it all; volumes of anguish and uncertainty as she closes old familiar doors behind and unlocks new territories.
Pain seldom seems so real

And then there are the ballerinas; so effortlessly spinning on their toes, gliding across like a flock of seagulls in the sky, singular motion, so much poise so much perfection but it’s only when one looks down at their toes there is pain carefully packaged in tiny doses ready to shoot its thousand needle-like splinters with every graceful step they take.
Pain seldom seems so real

And finally there is the lone soldier, taut and strong willed, guarding the border, fighting many a battle  with bravery and gusto but as he nears his end, lying there with his wounds naked and open to people's eye, the pain then might seem glorified; but in reality is superficial, as the real pain barred from everyone's view, lies in the images floating past his eyes that of family and loved ones whom he could albeit never wish the final goodbye, as he waits all alone, wounded; the bereaved soul taking his last breath away and moving out.
Pain seldom seems so real

Precious Jewels

On a wintry gray morning as I am walking down the thatched cobblestone path, I suddenly felt my arm being gripped from behind. Turning around I see FEAR staring back with a cold look plastered on its face. I try my best to wriggle free from its grasp but it only slithers further into my heart like a coiled snake moving dangerously. Huge boulders of dull ache have started pounding on my chest as I am shrouded with uncertainties of the future looming ahead. Twiddling my thumbs, I make my way towards the giant oak tree hoping to find solace under its warm shades.

Suddenly, I hear a whisper and turn around to see a pair of large eyes peering shyly at me.

“Who are you?" I ask out loud.

I am HOPE it says gingerly stepping into the open. Almost at the same time I hear some rustling of leaves from the nearby shrubs and I roll my eyes at the sight of someone doing a dozen cartwheels and managing a perfect landing near my feet.

Ahoy! I raise my hand startled. And what may I ask is your name?

Fanning feather kisses and crooning near my neck, I catch the faintest of sound slipping from its mouth, which says “I am FAITH."

Before I could gather my wits, I realize FEAR is fast intervening and enveloping my entire senses making me lower my head further down as I sink into my misery pot. I am forced to keep HOPE and FAITH at a distance.

But they both refuse to give up as it is not in their habit to do so. They prance around, jiggle their bottoms and start marching ahead in a straight line making clown-like faces. Finally they wager a contest with each other on who can let out the loudest burps.

Watching their antics, a tiny smile leaves the corner of my mouth and I slowly sink into the warm bed of dried leaves and fuchsia pink flowers.

“So what do you all do?” I ask them both as I feel the thumping of my heart lower a little.

Eyes twinkling and shining with laughter, Hope points upwards towards the sky and says “Can you manage to see the sun beyond these tall pine trees?” The colors of nature have woven interesting hues around each other forming a thick blanket overhead.

“It’s difficult to notice anything,” I say warily.

FAITH eggs me to look closer, and indeed, there amidst the green canopy above, I could not help but notice a tiny ray of light spearing thru the mesh forming a small halo over the spot that I was sitting.

Instantly, the golden sun looking resplendent comes shining down in all its glittering finery and spreads its warmth. I could indeed feel the pall of gloom getting lifted.

“So etch this in your heart forever,” says FAITH in an old wise tone, “Whenever FEAR pulls you down and builds an iceberg of despair and sorrow caging you inside, remember that a ray of HOPE and an ounce of FAITH will always be around to cut through the dark bleak hours and to bring along that spurt of sunshine.”

Wide eyed I marvel at their wisdom and feel the heaviness in my heart evaporating as I shed the baggage of FEAR and leave it behind.

FEAR, realising it was fighting a lost battle furiously starts digging into the soft mound of earth beneath and makes a hasty exit diving straight into the 'Pit of Shame' hopefully never to rise up again.

And then…. Swoosh like a fairy's wand both HOPE and FAITH magically disappear leaving me behind with a warm fuzzy feeling making my insides glow.

I leave the place with a spring in my step and a song in my head swaying to the lilting music of the wind.

I have discovered my two lifetime cronies. Have you seen them anywhere around you?