The Well of Grief

"Those who will not slip beneath
the still surface on the well of grief

turning downward through its black water
to the place we cannot breathe

will never know the source from which we drink,
the secret water, cold and clear,

nor find in the darkness glimmering
the small round coins
thrown by those who wished for something else."
~The Well of Grief by David Whyte

There are times in our life when we are touched by deep sorrow. It is that dark hole that we fall into, often without warning. We may then find ourselves overcome with great grief. It feels like drowning. At first we claw desperately at the murky depths trying to get our heads above water, gasping for familiar air. But, if we are lucky and realize that there is no way out, we may at last stop our futile struggle and turn downward. It is then that we can touch the deepest place within our soul and therein find the treasure that has been waiting to be discovered. It is the price and the prize of the lucky ones who are fortunate enough to know the well of grief.