Gregory Richard Barden | + Follow Poet |
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A Pound's a Pound - Migraine

there are mornings that I wake
          within the confines of my bed
               with a stabbing and excru-
     ciating pain inside my head

I'm told it's called a "migraine"
          hemiplegic, more exact
               and I've had them now, as I recall
     as far as thoughts go back

it's really very rare, it seems
          for men, I've beat great odds
               so I guess I should feel privileged -
     I'm the pet of headache gods!

I used to get them through the day
          there were drugs that I could take
               but now they fester while I dream
     fully-blown when last I wake

my eyes, I can't keep open
          ANY light is far too much
               the smallest sound is agony
     as is the slightest touch

if there's food inside my stomach
          well, the nausea brings it forth
               and if there's NOT, then dry-heaves
     will soon send the bile north

I often feel I've had a stroke
          with weakness in one sphere
               my face will droop to just one side
     I’m quite numb below the ear

I can't describe the pain, be-
          cause mere words do not exist
               to fully capture, with a phrase
     that quite conveys the gist

with me it starts behind the eye
          and often spreads from there
               to encompass my entire skull
     and throb from-ear-to-ear

it feels like every part of me
          has traveled to that spot
               that every neuron's being pierced
     with steel that burns white-hot

they used to be quite harmless
          just these ugly, painful jokes
               but hemiplegic migraines
     can result in death or strokes

there's nothing else quite like them
          and with that, I understate
               but safe to say they're awful
     and a horrid twist of fate

I've had them for a lifetime now
          most likely for the rest
               but I know that there's a reason -
     that they're really just a test

one reminder that we’re still alive
          and blessed with inner strength
               to deal with migraines as they are
     whate’er their breadth or length

so, every time I have one now
          I’ll say a soft, sweet prayer
               and count them as a blessing
     and one way to stay aware

that pain, for us, is critical
          to keep us safe-and-sound
               and make the right decisions
     on this journey that we’re bound

it helps us to appreciate
          the times we're feeling best
               a guide for being cautious with
     the boundaries that we test

yes, migraines can be horrible
          and I don't find joy in pain
               but how can we love sunshine
     without welcoming the rain?

I've learned to see them this way
          and not count them as a curse
               and remember when I have one
     that things could be MUCH worse

for every headache that arrives
          someone ELSE is nearing death
               so, I'm thankful for the pounding
     and the gift of each new breath

see, life must stay in balance
          without bad - there is no good
               and pain just helps us value
     all the sweet things, as we should

so if you are a victim of
          this monster that I've known
               please know that others feel your pain ...
     you're NOT in the dark ... alone.

Copyright © Gregory Richard Barden | Year Posted 2018

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Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 7/4/2018 8:25:00 PM Wow. A most affecting write my friend. One can feel the edge of your sword in this one dear Bard. Congratulations on your work being featured in such a meaningful impacting way, mo hugs <3 Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 7/10/2018 9:30:00 PM Thank you so much, Mo, I so appreciate it! (Daniel and John H have been calling me "The Bard" of late as well, and I kinda like it! It IS my name origin as well). Blessings, My Dear Poet Friend! :-) <3

Nette Onclaud Date: 7/1/2018 11:24:00 AM yes, i can relate as i get this ache at least twice a week..i'm sensitive to unnatural light... superb images and language, gregory... huggs Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 7/2/2018 11:45:00 AM Thank you so much, Nette, I'm sorry you get these horrible things ... I get them between two and four times a week, and sometimes get stuck in "cycles" that don't end for many days. I pray you find healing and relief somehow. <3

Jan Allison Date: 7/1/2018 3:33:00 AM Many congrats on your poem being published Greg,you give such a vivid portrayal of this condition, I've only ever had 2 migraines and can't imagine having to live with them on a regular basis my friend's son suffers and he is laid up in bed in agony:-( I love your acceptance of the condition, it certainly makes you appreciate the pain free days and n you can get on and enjoy life whereas other people are not so lucky with their health issues:-( hugs jan xx Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 7/2/2018 11:39:00 AM Thank you so much, Jan, I'm sorry you ever had to deal with this, and very sorry your friend's son has such difficulty. Most migraines are harmless, thankfully, but are excrutiating pain, but mine changed to this very rare form, (FHM - Familial Hemiplegic Migraine), when I was about 30, and they are life-threatening, with stroke-type symptoms that have to be checked every time. I pray his never make that change. Many thanks for your kind words, Dear Poet. <3