Pain

They ask endlessly.
How much? From one to ten.
Ten, worst ever.

If you've known ten
then nothing on their scale computes
You must be mute

Most of a lifetime ago,
watching my father turn blue with pain
refuse help

The old question:
bearing pain well equals virtue?
And why?

In the waiting room hoping for help
Children running and laughing
Hours drag by

The witness leaves
Fear rises
But fear is not pain. Is it?

Terror will not kill you.
Will it?

No subtle questions here.


jjl
18 October 2011