It is only with calloused hands
that the heavy body
can claw and leverage the self
upward on the thorny vine
of a life
without wince and whine
ascending to reach the fruit or bloom
the famished soul craves.
Strength is only followed by ache
and ease meets us
like the close breeze of angel wings
when we are certainly alone
to endure
and prevail despite difficulties,
in spite of opportunities.
Facing this,
finding a certain grace
that heals
and feels
righteous-
just us.
Artwork by Fyodor Bruni, 1820s or 1830s, 'A boy climbing the rock' (drawing for "Brazen Serpent" via Wikimedia Commons, in Public Domain.
