Prayer

Contributor: Anonymous

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Thank you for this
the lessons I didn't want to learn
the pain that made the day brighter
sweeter
with the coming of dawn.

Thank you for the long, dark nights
hellish and cold
that broke like fever
when the wounds
at last
were lanced.

Thank you for each cruel, fitful sleep
from which such beauty has sprung
without which
life would be quiet, featureless
cardboard dreams
yielding only
cardboard rewards

Thank you for the blessings
especially those I hate
(at first)
those I curse
(even now.)

Thank you,
because sometimes
pain is its own reward.


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