The Narcissism of Our Pain

The following is an excerpt from my book “Reflections of a Broken Man.” It seems narcissistic to post the reflections of some of my darkest hours, but then again isn’t blogging itself self absorbed. At any rate I thought I would repost some of the poems over the next couple of days and add some additional thoughts. The opening begins:

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There are times when life is overwhelming, when the truths that we held self-evident flounder against the pain. We desperately want faith to be simple, but it seldom is, it strains against self-perceptions, voices loud and subtle. During our darkest hours (and only the individual can determine that time) the heart cries for something more, something deeper, and something that will make sense of it all.

Yet, there is little sense in the world. Evil flourishes, good people suffer, the greedy prosper, and the faithful drown under the weight of life. One-step forward and two-step backward and all. There is comfort somewhere, at least we are told, that will carry us through to a better life. But why hope for a better life when the one we are in should do us just fine?

If you are looking for encouraging poetry to lift you out of the mire, this may not be for you. These reflections are the open heart of my soul in its darkest hours. It asks questions that are seldom answered, a voice shouting into the gale force winds, lost in the void, and yet, still seeking hope. Enjoy, commiserate, or not, but keep asking questions.

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I am glad those days are past, at least for me. There are many around who move through the rhythm of their lives in pain. For us who have gone through we can offer hope, a light at the end of the tunnel. His name is Jesus. I’m just saying.