The Heart of Pain

Having tried everything else,
I decide to walk
straight into the heart
of my pain

What I find there astonishes me
It is not something to fear,
though I've been running
for years

My breath calms
and my heartbeat slows
as I take
an honest inventory

I see my own brokenness
in the form of an overused teddy bear,
and I hold it tenderly
How lonely my pain has been!

My guilt is piled
in the corner like dust,
hastily dumped there
one heavy load at a time

My shame hides in the shadows,
not wanting to be seen
But I point the light of my awareness
into its darkest parts

My anger rushes me,
looking to get the best of me
with a sucker punch
But I step aside gracefully

Then, like a child,
I clean my inner room
Tidying up as best I can
For I know I will visit again soon