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