In the ancient World
Pain was con-tracted
Squeezed down
By the weight
Of tradition
And hierarchy
In our modern World
Pain is dis-tracted
Squeezed away
Temporarily by
Amusement
Achievement
Argument
Addiction
They
Were united
By fear
Of the Other
Often frustrated
By lack of freedom
But usually happy
We
Are divided
By worship
Of the Self
Often delighted
By newfound freedom
But usually anxious
Both approaches
Have proud benefits
And hidden costs
In Christ’s Kingdom
Pain is ex-tracted
By the cross
One
Death of Self
At a time
This approach
Has great cost
But hidden benefit
We discover
True happiness
By embracing
The Other
True freedom
In submission
To Him
The Other
Becomes our brother
The Self
Becomes a shelf
To display
God’s goodness
Not our own
That spirit
Is the essence
Of Christ
That cross
Is the only medicine
That can save
Our World