The Pain Poem by Clara Potter Soloman

The pain I see behind your eyes
Troubles me in ways you cannot see
It weighs my heart like a heavy stone
Never merciful,
Always hurtful.

I wish to console you in some way,
But I know and you know that would never be possible,
For what you feel is far beyond my mind’s capacity.
I could never comprehend what I can barely grasp.

I only wish that you would confide in me,
Tell me your secret hurt,
Or maybe, if such a thing exists for you,
Your dreams.

I want you to survive this pain.
I need you to survive.
But I’m not sure of what you have become.
I’m afraid of what this pain has done to you.

This new person, who used to be my heart and soul,
Frightens me into cringing away from you in fear.
I wish you would come back and sooth my unease.
You could always do that.
But not this new person that has taken your place.

No this person blocks out the love and delights of life,
Replacing them with pain, fear, and numbness to all outside wonders.
Now you live within yourself,
Never allowing anyone in.
Never allowing yourself to come out.