Removing thorns

As the lioness cried
And held her paw by her heart
Comfort elusive
Frustrations expanding

The goddesses gazed from within,
above, and below.
Don’t cry they said

Don’t create anger or blame
From your throbbing pain
The thorn in your paw means you no harm.
It was just a thorn until it met your paw.
It can't reach your heart.

Soak your wound, gently separate
thorn and paw,
and keep thorn handy.

Keep it to remind you of its
innocence, its essence had no
intention of harm.

Your paw met that thorn
to remind you thus:  to know
Love we must know pain
To know pain we must know love

The lioness soaked her paw
in the purest water.
Thorn and paw released
from each other’s  grasp.

The lioness and her thorn
moved through their world
Finding nourishment and love,
And even more thorns.

It is ever thus.

Vermont