Where does Pain Go?

It was easier
to assuage Pain and Sorrow
by focusing all our thoughts
on finding the one(s) who robbed us of the fellowship of family and friends.

It was,
in a strange way,
easier to cuddle with Anger,
and to delay Grief altogether
while we curdled our stomachs with Hate.

But where does Pain go
when the one most hated is gone,
along with many of his fellows?

Today,
Osama is gone;
and we are left with Tears,
the messenger of Grief,
reminding us
that we never tasted deeply enough of her bitter brew
to walk away from her table.

God,
give us enough faith
to dismiss Hate and Anger
while we summon the strength
to drink enough of Grief's cup
to push it away.

Amen.