Redemption of Suffering

I wrote this while staying with my parents last month after having a spinal tap, being extremely sensitive to light, and not being able to get out of bed. After my Dad had come into my room and brought me some food, I was wondering about the purpose of suffering. It occurred to me that one thing suffering can do is display the beauty of compassion in people and, at our best, spur us to work together. I also noticed, after not seeing anything outside for I don't know how many days, how beautiful are the crevices of bark on a tree in the afternoon sun. During that time I made an attempt to write down these thoughts:

The Thread

In the tapestry of this world,

there is a mysterious thread

that touches every other,

from the base to the head.

It is a thread called suffering,

and its color is thundering.

"What's the purpose of this cast?"

leaves the other wovens wondering.

But the Weaver knows,

in both fair and foul weather,

this one displays the kindness of the whole,

and binds them all together.

Because of this one,

the others are even brighter,

and working with this thunder,

makes the whole even tighter.