the space it occupies

lasting pain

takes up space

in the mind

and the body

the space it occupies

we must make room for

allow it to move

in and out

lasting pain

has form

shape

structure

that we must acknowledge

it may be permanent

a resident of our lives

so we must greet it

give it our attention

and tend to its needs

it may not leave

though we may ask it to

but does it have to go?

although there is tension

a pull we resist

the strain of

lasting pain

only builds

until it breaks through

destroying everything

in its path

though

the pain may last

and we can live

without it

are we really alive

if we push it away?