Sharp Burning

There is no use
In fighting the flame
Avoiding the heat
The cut of the blade

No profit in leaving
Not feeling the pain
Or turning your back
There's nothing to gain

You're given a moment
A chance to decide
To take on the challenge
And face every plight

Your palms face to face
A bend in your knees
A humble request
Of all that you need

The joining of others
All family and friends
Each carry the burden
Right down to the end

And after the burning
Each flame touched to skin
All cuts from the blade
Cause bleeding within

In this place of learning
When pain is your school
You question your faith
And all of man's rules

So all that's left over
What lies in your heart
Is what you believe in
From ending to start

In all there is spirit
Believe it or nay
This fact does not matter
When grief is in play

With hardship there's learning
In each, a degree
We carry forever
and set ourselves free

And what are we free from
Not hardship or woe
Not sorrow or fear
Testing all that we know?

The most precious lesson
Of all that is taught
Is knowing contentment
When all appears lost

Contentment and trusting
In what we believe
Our minds may be blind
But our hearts He does see

by darlene