Poem of the Week, Slightly Delayed

Storytellers
(after Brian Doyle)
May 29, 2008

Every scar tells a story –
of falling down
and rising up,
of hands that push
and those that lift.

Yes, every scar tells a story –
of the knife that divides
and faith that cleaves,
of the fragility of bone
and the strength of spirit.

Let me caress your scars,
trace them with tender fingertips,
bless them with timid lips,
and I will love you –

not with sympathy
for the wounds
you’ve suffered
but admiration
for the wounds
you’ve survived.