experience

when the experiences that make us who we are
are painful and sad
and 
when the situations that shape us into what we are
are hurtful and dark
and 
when the times that push us and pull us against our will
are trying and bleak
that's when we live. 
when we suffer we feel.
when we feel we are alive.
as much as suffering can make us grow
we wish it away
we want it to slow
we want
to go.

worms worms worms

we're told as children

"there will be two, if you cut them  in half"

those wriggly worms 

in the rich earth

to keep them from dying out

just chop them with scissors

we believe what we're told

accidently exterminating

instead of providing regeneration

send them to kingdom come

youth's will be done

how wonderful it would be

if our dreams regenerated 

like the storied worms in loam

when the spade thrusts through from above

ripping through our ideals

they would arise again, twice as strong

and yet 

if friendships functioned

like worm mythology

we could sever two people apart

they would wriggle away independently

and each would go on alone

so perhaps it is better if friendship is real life

worms in truth.

needing to stay nearly intact to survive

a small piece from head or tail will not kill it

but too great a wound

and even worms can bleed and die