Ruminations on pain

Had many sleepless nights this week, over which I had the opportunity to ruminate upon the common human affliction of physical pain. It is a remarkably and intensely personal experience. The rest of the mortal world cannot in any real sense share that pain, no matter what they say or do, though their words and actions can no doubt add or subtract from pyschological and emotional pain. Physical pain may originate from deep within the bones, where it slowly but steadily grinds away a person's sense of well-being. It may erupt with electrifying speed and force when the weakest breath of wind brushes against ultrasensitive skin. It may relentlessly throb away at the brain, blurring vision and fouling moods. It may churn the stomach as it ferments a noxious brew within the body. It may render a person demoralised, incapacitated, unconscious or even worse. When painkillers cannot do the job, there is no point pleading for help to eliminate physical pain. The day rapidly darkens into night and night rapidly darkens into despair, because pain is so remarkably and intensely personal.