Double Joy

Double Joy

In your eyes I see projected fierceness,

I see fire, and I see pain.

Behind that I see a little girl afraid and full of shame.

Who could have hurt you so deeply to leave such nasty wounds?

   My heart cries out to you—

   I’ve been there, too.

   I’ve known trauma, terror, and shame.

But I’ve also learned that in sharing another’s sorrows

Out of friendship and with true heart

Halves the pain and begins the circle of healing.

   So, may I come alongside you

   As a friend and a trusted sister,

   As one wounded, too?

One day we’ll share great joy,

And I’ve found shared joy doubles the joy.

So, for the joy set before us,

May we walk the sacred path together.

ã15 December 1993, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.