Pain Domain (poem) by Leland Waldrip on AuthorsDen

Pain Domain
by Leland Waldrip → (All Poetry by Leland Waldrip)
Rated "G" by the Author.

Save

Pain, even if emotional, is physical, real — and personal.

If cold is absence of heat, Pleasure is absence of pain. Life is field on which they meet, And their mix determines gain. Pain scores with bite of whips, Also nags or pulses with salvoes. Fire sears nerves, deeply grips, Cold gnaws fingers and toes. Ache or throb, it comes and goes, Can be phantom or referred. Ever present, or ebbs and flows, Excruciating, or mortal last word. Each feels pain on his own, Emotions, if they’re injured, And heart to heart’ve flown, Are hurtful, rest assured. Emotions can make one sick, Such pain, we’re told, is real. In psychosomatic bailiwick, It’s placebos that heal. Physical pain stems from brain, Where we know when hurt we feel. Emotions can hurt, feel like pain — Or pleasure, for our minds to deal. Politicians claim to feel our pain, They speak empathetic conflation. Yet we suspect hollow refrain, Our vote, their assignation. Does lion feel zebra’s dying bray As on live flesh it feeds? Or numb to tortured prey, Absorbed in predation needs? Does hawk feel rat’s anguish, As talons, living tissues pierce? Rat’s terminal agony distinguish From hunger, this raptor fierce? Humans can be empathetic, Sad to see trauma of brother. Can imagine, be sympathetic, But can’t feel pain of other. That’s the way it will remain, In or out of, pain is czar, Ruling the lonely domain: Self — where we are. © 2008 R. Leland Waldrip

Reviewed by Regis Auffray

Reviewed on July 1, 2008

So much truth here, Leland. Pain is ever-present in this world/life. Whenever I watch a wildlife documentary, no matter how beautifully it depicts nature, it cannot help but reveal that pain and death is always there. Thank you, friend. Love and peace to you,

Regis

Reviewed by Alexandra* OneLight*® Authors & Creations

Reviewed on June 26, 2008

A poem like a punch (pardon the pun...), my friend! As you say, pain, even if emotional, is physical, real - and personal, and, may I add, inevitable, for at some point or other, all living beings experience pain. It is interesting, however, how the awareness of pain, its many causes, and how it affects individuals differently, has evolved throughout the years, and lately, how such awareness has promoted more and more advanced research on pain's relief. There are, nowadays, clinics (and departments at hospitals) that focus exclusively on pain relief (especially that of chronic pain) for, as you know, it has been found that the patient's constant distress, caused by it, actually hinders their recovery from whatever disease or wound (or even surgery) at its root. It is also true, however, that each person feels pain differently, and that what may be unbearable to some, may be perfectly endurable to others - and that, in other species, the endurance of pain also varies greatly; in my experience, and as an example, I've observed that horses don't deal well with pain, and they may easily "give up" if nothing effective is done about it within a relatively short period of time. And here's something else you may find interesting, on this theme: many years ago (during and after the first great world war), a Welsh doctor, Edward Bach, successfully studied the deep connection between his patients' emotional state and their individual reactions to pain, as well as its influence in their healing process - and "revived" and updated the ancient science of flower essences, through which, by balancing any underlying "negative" emotions, it is actually possible to promote a "chain" of physical healing reactions... oh, boy, am I going to get some serious frowns regarding this, LOL! Anyway, my dearest, intelligent, aware Leland, this sure was a mind-stirring theme to read about, and beautifully presented in poetic form, too! Keep them coming... and may pain be kept away! Lots of "flower essenced" {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}} with lots of love,
Alexandra*

Reviewed by C. J. Stevens

Reviewed on June 25, 2008

On reading this fine poem one nods sadly and breathes deeply. Few poems achieve this reaction in a reader.
CJ

Reviewed by Karen Palumbo

Reviewed on June 24, 2008

It is pain that reminds us we are alive and teaches perseverence to endure and continue on....

Be always safe,
Karen

Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner

Pain is my constant companion, my closest friend, my worst enemy - how I'd love one. Pain. Free. Day - well said, Leland.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Pain is my friend. Closer than a warm puppy.

Ron