New Poem--about Suffering

Stigmata

You have emerged from the dark tunnel

into the marvelous light--

a bit scarred, yes, marks of the crown of thorns there 

on your scalp, under your hair,

and on your feet, hands, and chest,

the marks of the stigmata--

very subtle, hardly noticeable really, O friend.

You have suffered a lot,

have seen too much of death.

You once told me, "Everyone I ever loved . . .

has died."

And, of course, you know that you and I

will follow that path one day ourselves.

You have emerged, with a wicked sense of humor

and deepened humanity. Forgive others,

and yourself, more easily now.

Those who've walked in the darkness

have seen a great Light.

This Light, of spirit, liveliness, strange grace,

shines in the darkness.

And the darkness cannot overcome it.

[Bob Coughlin / December 15, 2014]