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On Pain

This Page Includes: Full Verses of the Poem in Text. A Recording of the Poem (Audio). A Free PDF Download for reading purposes. Free Editable Google Doc Download if you wish to make changes or to personalise the poem. The page also includes what the poem is about, structure of poem and explaining the best parts.

On Pain Poem Verses

Your pain is the breaking of the shell
that encloses your understanding.

Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its
heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.

And could you keep your heart in wonder
at the daily miracles of your life, your pain
would not seem less wondrous than your joy;

And you would accept the seasons of your
heart, even as you have always accepted
the seasons that pass over your fields.

And you would watch with serenity
through the winters of your grief.

Much of your pain is self-chosen.

It is the bitter potion by which the
physician within you heals your sick self.

Therefore trust the physician, and drink
his remedy in silence and tranquility:

For his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided
by the tender hand of the Unseen,
And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips,
has been fashioned of the clay which the Potter
has moistened with His own sacred tears.

Audio Recording

Please note the audio recording may not exactly match the text version as 'On Pain' can be tailored/personalised

Download Poem

Please note the audio recording may not exactly match the text version as 'On Pain' can be tailored/personalised

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Personalised Poem

Would you like to customise this poem? You have the option to personalise it by accessing the provided link, which will direct you to Google Docs. From there, you can download the poem ‘Memories’ to your personal Google Docs account or Microsoft Word where you will be able to edit the poem however you want.

Personalised Poem

About the poem

The poem is about the inevitability of pain and suffering in life and how it is an essential part of growth and understanding. The speaker compares pain to the breaking of a shell, a necessary step for the fruit inside to stand in the sun. They suggest that if one could maintain wonder and gratitude for the daily miracles of life, then pain would not seem less wondrous than joy. The poem encourages the reader to accept the seasons of the heart, just as they accept the changing of the seasons in nature. The speaker suggests that much of the pain we experience is self-chosen, and that it is necessary for the inner physician to heal the sick self. The poem encourages the reader to trust in this process, to accept the bitter potion, and to drink it in silence and tranquility, as it is guided by the tender hand of the Unseen. The cup that burns our lips has been fashioned by the Potter, who has moistened it with His own sacred tears. Ultimately, the poem encourages acceptance and trust in the process of growth and healing through pain.

The Structure of Poem

The poem consists of four stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The structure of the poem is simple and follows a free-verse form. The poem's theme is philosophical and metaphorical, with the poet using the metaphor of pain to express the idea of self-growth and self-realization. The poem follows a consistent and meditative tone throughout, with a sense of acceptance and surrender to the natural cycles of life. The language used is simple and direct, making the poem accessible to a broad range of readers.

Best Quote from On Pain Poem

This is a quote from the poem On Pain by Khalil Gibran

"And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy;"

This quote reminds us that pain is a natural part of life and that if we view it with wonder and curiosity, it can be just as meaningful and transformative as moments of joy and happiness.