"The low spark of high-heeled boys "

                       "Hidden Treasure" is the opening tract of "The low spark..."  .   I am intrigued by its refrain, "There is happiness in strife."   For years I've told anyone who would listen that I, myself, find "Relief" in Suffering, vis-a-vis the Ancient Christian Ascetics who resided in the desert to "get close to God" by Meditating and inflicting upon themselves the Misery of hair-vests and the like .   The "Mortification of the Flesh" to "get closer to God" is PERVERSION according to Christian Dogmatists but to know one's Suffering as a SIMILARITY to Jesus's is a SOMETHING of which to be Aware .

            I've considered "There is happiness in strife" as a Zen Kong-an {Korean--  Koan is Japanese} bc the only qualifier is >>> the "Million Voices of the 'River' " .   River Wisdom .   Recall "The River" in Hesse's novel, Siddhartha .   Here it is where the River affords a Tranquility impossible to the City and Village dweller .   I personally believe it's a tough "Sell" but Hesse's POWER is PERSUASIVE .

          I suppose only Winwood knows WHY he chose the River as a Source of "happiness in strife" but THAT'S the kong-an .   "What does 'happiness in strife' MEAN ???