
Pain visited me occasionally
like a migratory bird;
it was seasonal.
I never liked her visits but
she threw joy in sharp relief.
Then her visits became more frequent
she liked to perch on my soul
trilling her melancholy song
the deep ache in my heart burgeoned taking roots there.
These days pain and I are inseparable
she lurks behind my smiles
she tinges my happiness with grey
she stays awake with me on moonless nights.
I have learnt to savour
each single sliver of happiness more
no longer immersing myself
completely in exultation
I live on the periphery of jubilation
with pain shining a light on
little pleasures to be lived to the fullest.
Written for dVerse. Today’s host Ingrid says: What I would like you to do for this challenge is a kind of therapeutic exercise. I do NOT want you to open any old wounds which are too painful to approach, or torment yourself by reliving painful moments. Let’s always keep in mind Wordsworth’s definition of poetry as ’emotion recollected in tranquillity.’ If you are able to, I want you to revisit a time in your life when you have felt pain (emotional or physical, acute or chronic) and come out on the other side stronger. As hard as it is to go through, we learn from our pain and grow as a result of it. So let’s examine the personal and artistic growth which can be achieved by finding the silver lining behind the cloud of suffering.
oh yes!
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❤️
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that is so so good! I loved how you wrote it! ❤
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Carol, thanks so much, dear. ❤️
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I loved this so much. Each and every word is a tranquilizer. ❤
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Shreya, what a lovely thing to say! Thanks a lot, dear. ❤️
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Suffering of the body and suffering of the mind and soul all destroy our past comforts as you paint so vividly with your sharp phrases,but the truth you tell is that they can also take us to a place where we” live on the periphery of jubilation..”and that is not nothing,indeed. Subtle and sure writing, a pleasure to read.
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Always appreciate your insights. Thank you so much.
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I love the imagery of the bird. Pain is like the thorns and also like a bird that gets comfortable digging sharp talons into tender flesh..
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That is a very astute observation, Val. Thanks a lot.
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You nailed the prompt with this one
Potent end lines!!!
“I live on the periphery of jubilation
with pain shining a light on
little pleasures to be lived to the fullest.”
Much💜love
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Gillena, so appreciate your visit. Thanks so much! ❤️
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I love the prompt, which you so eloquently took under your wing and helped it to soar with grace and beauty!❤️❤️❤️ How are you Punam, my dear? 🥰
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Aww thanks, Jenna! ❤️ So good to see here. I am fine, my dear. Will catch up with your posts soon. 🤗🥰
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You’re welcome! I’m glad you’re doing well Punam my dear!! 🤗🥰 ❤️❤️
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I live on the periphery of jubilation
Wonderful- such a great finale that gives completion to the work .
Stella
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Stella, so good to see you here. Hope you are doing well.
Thanks so much.
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All is well . Therapy training my focus. Keep writing. Stella
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Great. Take care. Will do.
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“She liked to perch on my soul.” “I live on the periphery of jubilation” — your poem is replete with eloquent, poignant and evocative imagery. The photo of the small bird perched delicately on a branch of thorns is the perfect accompaniment. 🙏
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Thank you so much. I am glad you like the pic I chose and the verse. Much appreciated. 🙏🏼🙂
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An interesting personification of this unwanted, frequent guest!
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Thanks, JYP!
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powerful writing sis, your analogy with the bird resonates … living with the pain but still seeking jubilation, kudos 🙂
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Thanks a lot, sis! 🙂
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pleasure, I love love love your talent!
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I am truly touched. 🙏🏼❤️
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These bodies do get old…(K)
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Oh, I so agree!
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Yes, exactly, a presence, a shadow behind the happiness, and would those shards shine so brightly without it? Well-written!
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Thanks a lot! 🙂
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xx
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SO LOVELY!
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Thanks so much!
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Your readers are the ones who are thankful. 🙂
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🙏🏼 Touched beyond words. 🙂
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she threw joy in sharp relief – that completely hooked me in, what a beautiful way to describe the process of pain!
pain shining a light on
little pleasures to be lived to the fullest. – Just amazing beautiful these lines, so perfect and relatable! :)))
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Thanks a lot, Pragalbha! I am so glad it hooked you in. 💙
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We certainly do learn from our pain. This is brilliantly penned Punam. Much love to you 💜
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So we do. Thanks so much, dear. Much love to you too. 💙
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The lessons that pain teaches us, if we don’t learn it well enough that, first time, it will come back, again, and again, until, we finally, get it ..
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So true…..
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Without pain, how would we value joy? A beautifully written poem and a very good reminder Punam.
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Absolutely! Thanks a lot, Sadje. 🙏🏼
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It’s always my pleasure Punam dear.
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Deep and powerful expression of human emotions, Punam. Can feel, at times, like a razors edge. Beautifully crafted, my friend. ❤️
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So it can, Jeff. Many thanks, my friend. ❤️
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You’re most welcome, Punam. Always. ❤️
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Punam, a lovely poem with beautiful imagery. Relatable, especially as we age and little aches and pains become a part of everyday life. A gorgeous photo that pairs perfectly with the poem.
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Yes, with age aches and pains come and stay. Thanks so much, Cheryl. ❤️
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Oh this is beautiful and so wise, Punam. Well done.
pax,
dora
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Dora, thanks so much. 🙏🏼❤️
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“These days pain and I are inseparable
she lurks behind my smiles”.. this line hits me hardest, as i believe with the pandemic, we all are in this state.. .somehow trying to put up a smile amidst a really painful experience… thank you for writing this Punam…
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Thanks a lot, Mich.🙏🏼 We all are experiencing some kind of pain.
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Wow, Punam: this is so good! The shift from the image of pain as a ‘migratory bird’ to a constant companion, which serves as a catalyst to make the most of every sliver of happiness:
‘I live on the periphery of jubilation’ – I just love that phrase! Sometimes I feel that way myself. ❤️
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Thanks so much, Ingrid. I took your advice while writing it. 😊
I guess we have all met pain in its various avatars….be it physical or emotional. Thank you for this prompt. ❤️
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My pleasure ❤️
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Nailed it. Great writing.
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Thanks a lot, Sean.
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BTW,I though the migratory bird metaphor was very appropriate.
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Ah! I am glad you did. 🙂
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Loved the personification of pain here, the comparison to a migratory bird. What a brilliant poem, so eloquently expressed! 💖
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I am glad you like it. Thanks a lot, Sahana. ❤️
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When you become one with your pain, it slowly starts sinking in. You become numb, pain is longer painful. Yes it is accorded, yet it is insignificant.
Bravo, I enjoyed reading your poetry! Awesome blog
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Thanks a lot, Arnav. I am awed that at such a young age you understand pain. Stay blessed.
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Pain teaches us to appreciate happiness with gratitude. Each verse spoke to me Punam and this resonated with me, as I am in that zone now.
Again, let me tell you, you are the Queen of poetry ❤️❤️. Such a pleasure reading your words!!
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Oh, Radhika! I wish I can help in some way. Take care, dear. ❤️
Always humbled by your words of appreciation. 🙏🏼❤️
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so poignant…. the image reminded me of the thorn birds!
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Indeed, that was on my mind.
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Beautifully and thoughtfully written, Punam. Your words remind me to be mindful and count my blessings. 💖
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Chris, thanks so much. 🙏🏼💞
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Much appreciated!
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😊💕🌹
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A great poem. Making peace with pain is a major effort. My wife is the same way. Arthritis and back pain are present every day. Yet she seems to rise above it and continues to do as much as she can every day!
Dwight
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My salute to her, Dwight. It is not easy to live with pain.
Thanks a lot.
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Thank you! You are right about that. I don’t know how she does it!
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It’s part of life, however painful. Even if you’re chronically ill, you have to acknowledge it at some point and learn to live with it. You can’t be mad forever. It’s toxic for everyone.
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It is. Life would be intolerable if we didn’t learn to live with it.
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Making peace with pain ~ you write of it quite wonderfully. And thank you for leaving me a comment!
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Thanks, Helen and you are welcome.
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I love this! “I live on the periphery of jubilation,” is a great phrase. This is how pain should be managed! 💕
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I have realised this way it is easier to manage pain. Thanks a lot, Tricia. ❤️
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It’s a great philosophy! Welcome! 🌷
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its true… pain is a migratory bird 💙💙
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I am glad you think so too, Victoria. 💙
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Yes, making friends with pain or the “enemy” really helps, well, it has helped me and I gather from these thoughtful words you have too – peace. Thank you for this wise poem.
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I think we all ‘make friends’ with pain eventually. Thank you, Paul and you are welcome.
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Love this especially; “I live on the periphery of jubilation with pain shining a light on little pleasures.” Stunning write 💝💝
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Thanks so much, Sanaa. Always touched by your appreciation. 💞💞
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Wow! That is a masterpiece. I am just in love with every line of this poem. So perfect and beautiful!!❤
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Thanks a lot, Jahnavi. Means a lot. ❤️
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Having to live with the constant presence of pain… such a shadow that really made those little things in life shine all the brighter.
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It does throw in relief those fleeting moments of joy.
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Love the image of pain as a perching bird
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I am glad you do. Thanks a lot.
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I just loved it so much
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Thank you so much. 🙏🏼
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Amazing
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Thanks a lot.
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Beautifully expressed!
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Thanks so much.
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Such a wonderful expression! Yes pain and joy could be together and it is like a condiment to a fuller life.
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Estela, thanks so much. Yes, I agree it is like a condiment to a fuller life. 💙
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You’re most welcome!
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Beautifully written.
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Love the line – live in the periphery of jubilation . Also how you have taken us through each stage of how and what pain meant to you . awesome !!
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Thanks a lot!
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You are very welcome !
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I have infact written a piece about pain and how I am drawn to it even when I don’t want it – do read!
https://appamprawns.wordpress.com/2021/12/09/pain-in-parts/
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