From 2003:
.
.
It suffered times when It almost drowned
in the unruly sea, in wild tempests.
The sharp, icy jagged teeth of Cruelty
bit deeply into It.
The tearing claws of Anger slashed
powerfully at It.
It was being dragged through shrubs of
thorns that dug, stung
and scratched bitterly.
.
.
The ground was hard and cold
burnt by an evil green, raging fire.
Torture…but It held on…searching
in desperate hope for a glimpse of
Light
from the other end of what it hoped
was a tunnel, but was
a cave.
.
.
It finally extinguished
There was infinite darkness,
Loneliness,
Sorrow,
Overwhelming anguish and
Pain.
No more hope.
No more warmth.
Just an agonizing silence…
Would it be this way
Forever?
It didn’t want it so…anymore.
Who can enjoy pain?
It closed its eyes, believed it was
no more there.
.
.
On opening them, It saw a glow.
No, it was not a flame that could be
washed away.
No, It was no longer where it was before
This was not that cave but the
entrance to a garden.
Bright, full of light and beautiful
.
.
It dared to look back, felt no more pain.
This was real…the garden.
The place of truth and love,
not the cave of unending illusion.