Besides the proverbial
blood, sweat, and tears,
there's mud
and slime and filth,
worries, fears,
bugs and rodents,
dashed hopes,
unfulfilled dreams,
betrayals,
disappointments,
sorrow, pain,
unhappy times,
embarrassments,
humiliations,
and thwarted expectations,
and a seemingly endless litany
of grief and loss.
Yet through the blinding mist
and darkness of the mess
shines a light,
which draws us onward
toward joy and peace
and love
and laughter -
to Life!
All the ugliness
prepares our eyes
to see the beauty;
and
the beauty
strikes us deeply,
lifts us up,
gives us a song,
and air to breathe.
