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* For all those who suffer in silence with chronic pain *
~
to my face …
“I understand”
but you do NOT
why do you speak with such
a forked tongue?
is ‘imbecile’ tattooed on my brow?
am I missing that each morning
when the mirror laughs its
age at me?
I know what you say to others
I know the change of tone in your voice
I know the awkward humming
and avoidances
this plague has been with me
since my earliest memories -
the darkness, the excruciating silence
the disapparated stomach
you and others have witnessed it all these many years -
the devastation and struggle -
some of you even knew it yourSELF … once
yet now it’s an excuse?!?
for WHAT, pray tell??
hours of endless fun in the
darkened silence with eyes covered and ears plugged?
no food, no drink, no movement or light or sound
for hours on end??
who WOULDN’T be craving such revelry and joy??
(yes, that’s sarcasm)
but, see … ONE thing has changed
one very important thing
and that’s the fact that no matter WHAT you may think
this is MY reality
and what others who can’t understand DO with that
I just do … not … CARE
… not now …
and I am done
apologizing for it
or feeling bad because my
inescapable chronic pain has somehow
put a dent in others’ good humor …
no one ELSE apologizes
I’ll be damned if I will …
it is beyond my control
beyond your understanding
and beyond my will or desire to
explain …
anymore.
Copyright © Gregory Richard Barden, January 4, 2023
Copyright © Gregory Richard Barden | Year Posted 2023
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