(I am talking about pain medications available over the counter such as ibuprofen/motrin/aleve etc and not opioids, though towards the end I do allude to the addictive potential of pain medications and that refers to opioids.)
It hurts, and I would rate my pain as six out of ten
In the throes of pain there was a time when
I would not think twice about popping a pill
To ease my pain, not taking medicine would not be the hill
I would die on-I could not afford to be slowed down by pain
Debilitated by physical discomfort I could not remain
Having an in-depth understanding of how pain medications act
I had no reason to doubt the efficacy of the pill, in fact..
*
I also happen to be exceptionally well-versed
In the side-effects of pain medications-there is ample research
To suggest that over-the-counter pain medications used indiscriminately
Can cause stomach ulcers and damage to the kidney
I counsel patients to take pain pills cautiously
I should heed the advice equally applicable to me
*
So I channel my inner stoicism to the best possible extent
And power through aches and pains- my intent
Is to beat the need for pain medication and still function somehow-
I go without a pill for twenty-four plus hours but the pain does not allow
Normal functioning- I am not as productive as I would be
If only I were not in pain constantly
*
I do not have a chronic pain issue, and yet
Physical pain was not easy for me to forget
For those who suffer from chronic pain difficult it must be
To power through it and still live life productively
I wish there were better remedies for pain that were not
Accompanied by risks of physical damage or addiction- pain has brought
Many people to the brink of self-destruction and violence
All judgment is clouded in the face of pain intense..
Passion...unbridled 