Road Back from Purgatory

I've walked the road

Of crippling torments;

Had torturous pain

Buffet me in torrents.

And from the look in your eye

I can tell

You've traversed the flames

Of a burning hell

That's left its scars 

On you as well.

They say that misery

Loves company

A truth that resonates

For you and me-

Two spirits who bear

the mark of tragedy

Like a scarlet letter

For all who can see.

It's a bell that once sounded

Cannot be unrung,

A song that once entoned

Cannot be unsung;

The aftertaste 

Of a bitter fruit,

A residue that lingers 

Like vengeful soot

And taints the whole

From leaf to root.

Experiences hard 

But also precious,

The worth of which

You cannot measure.

For every blow,

Each crushing defeat,

The stabbing cold,

The unrelenting heat;

The raging storms 

That we have weathered

Have left us battered

But for them bettered.

Now through the testing

Of our mettle,

We know when to fight 

And when to settle.

With hearts made pure 

From malice and guile

We embark upon

The final miles 

That lead us back

From long exile.