The Thorns and the Roses

The Rose moaned to the thorns, You are the biggest flaw to my existence. I wish God would not have created you. You ruined my magnificence by your thorny entrances. In your absence, I would have been more enchanting and delightful.

Maybe that’s how you are supposed to grow”, under my protection. My ways appear to be harsh and possibly the pain caused by my poignant surface is too overwhelming but it is this grief that has epitomized you as a symbol of grace. Do you still have complaints, asked the thorn?

The rose mumbled it’s your indifference, not greatness. The truth is, you despise yourself and to numb the pain you feel, you escape by projecting your bitterness. This escapist tendency has made you dead within and, that’s why your sharp surface manifests pain in others but as you are a moving shadow incapable to feel, you can not process the pain of yours as well others.

The thorn thought over the blames imposed and answered in a guilty tone, maybe my bitterness was supposed to bring out your sweetness. If I would not have been sharp and poignant, the human race would have plucked you untimely making you decay prematurely. It is my fear that intimidates them and paradoxically it is this fear that has molded you into someone you are supposed to be.

The rose sobbed and cursed the thorn for manipulation, realizing the truth of its nature. It is in those moments that rose understood the profound concept of contradictions; day and night, sorrow and joy, good and evil. It comprehended that duality is suffering and pain is a way that disillusions us from the deception of duality. Since pain is meant to be felt, it reveals us the hidden messages, which are reinforced in the words of Bullah Shah,

“ Ek nukte bich gal mukdi hai”.

And before settling into Solitude, the Rose whispers to thorn, I can realize the reason behind your existence now.

And they both dwelled in ‘strange ambiguous silence’ thereafter.