This old lady would love a cuppa coffee w/ you - most people ignore the topic of pain. I kind of go Buddhist with it. I observe it, feel it and, I guess, my version of knocking it out of the fuckin' Earth is to use it as creative fuel, as you have, then let it go. Of course "letting it go" sounds too glib if that pain involves an enormous loss. Pain/loss are issues I ponder. I always ask myself, What can I learn from this? That question has been surprisingly helpful.

Okay, enough from me. Obviously this poem has me thinking. Which is just what poetry should do!