beatification in poetry

life will
beat you
into sainthood
if you live long enough

life will
rain down
the brick fists
over and over
and over again
purpling your flesh
loosening your teeth
blinding you with blood
until you wish it would just end
but it never ever just ends
you just keep taking it

life will
kick you while you’re down
then kick you further down
and kick you when you’re downer
and at first, like an animal
you will only be thinking
“this should not be
happening to me”

but eventually
you will look up
at the stars
through the fog of that assault
through the sweat stinging at
the open wounds on your body
and you will realize
“this should not be
happening to anyone
ever”

life will
beat you into sainthood
if you can just hang in there
long enough to finally see
this is everyone
you are everyone
and pain
is the only enemy