“Pain is a great teacher”

What kind of bullshit is that?

Truth inserted in a shit bomb

Physical agony grinds on me from within

I recoil away from myself

If I turn my attention to other things

I can pretend to ignore it

But I am just Ripley easing into my spacesuit

The monster lurks behind me drooling

My line of sight is narrowing

Nerve endings scream at me

I cover my ears

Shaking my head “no”

I claim ignorance

We don’t speak the same language

I shrug my shoulders and spread my palms wide