We Carry Our Wounds

I am not a mechanism; an assembly of various sections.

And it is not because the mechanism is working wrongly,

that I am ill.

I am ill because of wounds deep to the soul,

to the deep emotional self

and the wounds to the soul take a long, long time,

only time can help

And patience, and a certain difficult repentance,

Long difficult repentance, realization of life’s mistake,

and the freeing oneself

from the endless repetition of the mistake

Which mankind at large has chosen to sanctify.

                                           DH Lawrence, "The Healing"

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there are wounds

that go deep to the soul

and we carry those wounds

every day

every moment

so often it is our soul that is lacerated

by failure, or rejection

by hate or fear

but no part of us is left untouched

we carry our wounds in our hearts

broken by the sin of the world

in our minds, unquiet and chaotic

in our bodies

tired and bent

full of pain

and dis-ease

we are cracked vessels

we search for healing in exercise

and health foods

but no number of steps, no amount of kale

can touch this fragility

no pills

no amount of alcohol]

can ease the pain

only the gentle warmth of Sacred Presence

filling us

freeing us to walk pathways

which are fresh and new

only the Spirit

which has the power to change our souls

(we call this repentance)

can create in us

sanctity

sanctuary

healing