Pain Fears You More. Poem by Ndeipanda Aindongo

how dare you be afraid of pain....?
when you are descended from people who climbed down from crosses and walked away from burning at the stake.
people who lost entire lower limbs and still stood tall.
entire upper limbs and still gave full hugs.
how dare you be afraid of pain....?
when you your genes contain memories of the essence of mind over matter.
How dare you be Afraid of pain...?
when your forefathers trekked over volcanic razor-sharp rock barefoot.
when your mother broke herself in half like the multi-verse birthing a galaxy to bring you forth.
when oceans try to lift themselves to gift the moon to you.
Feel that pain and know its purpose,
feel that pain and relegate it to the zone of lived experiences,
love it, that pain for what it makes you,
stronger,
harder,
malleable,
impervious,
vulnerable to change.

how dare you be afraid of pain,
when it is more afraid of walking past your house.