by Douglas Dunn

Created on: May 31, 2008   Last Updated: December 28, 2011

The Painful Spark

It's worse than death, death is final.
Death is neither dark nor cold.
Death is neither throbbing nor painful.
Death doesn't come and go, or stay with you till you're old.

Death relieves; migraines persist.
Migraineurs favorite place is cool and dark.
Migraineurs persevere through pain and throbbing.
Migraines are triggered in an instant, like a spark.

A spark that brings intense pain and misunderstanding.
A spark that can start a fire that lasts for hours or days.
A spark that causes friends and family to think you're weak and crazy.
A spark that leaves you nothing to do but lie down and pray.

Prayer helps the spirit but does nothing for the pain.
The pain just sits there, causing grief and discontent.
First some heat, then some ice, then back to heat again.
Face full of marks where the heating pad has been.

Where's the outcry, the discourse, the research, the cure?
Oh it's not cancer or MS or MD.
No bracelets, no pins, no public awareness.
Just a pain in your head that no one can see.

Go home, lie down, take a pill and wait,
For the pain to subside and to feel normal again.
Can I make any plans? Can I go out on a date?
When will this damned pain flare up again?

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