The Unwanted Companion

I wonder if Saint Francis

who called Sun, his Brother,

the rising moon, his Sister,

would call persistent pain

his Brother or his Sister,

his  Friend or fiercest Foe,

or even, beloved Teacher? 

 

'Tis a small thing to name

this companion at my side,

in my flesh and in my bones, 

tearing life away from me.

Relentless and persistent, 

always working patiently 

to finally wear me down.

 

How shall I fight this foe,

for such I know is his name, 

who seeks only to work woe,

distracting and disrupting 

everything that is within me,

leaving me without focus

except that of dwelling on him?

 

I know not what to say

except pain's defeat is near.

Either here or over there

its power shall be gone.

In the garden in which I work,

or in the garden to which I go, 

pain shall finally be no more.