Pain Poem by Tui Jameson

What is pain?
Blood of an old scar
or a moaning heart?

Is the wounded warrior
more hurt than
the lonely widow?

Tell me
What is the difference
between the sword
and the word?

Each can send a foe
into a deep depression.
but is depression pain?

What about light?
is pain staring at a blinding light
or is it
being locked in
a dark room utterly alone?

What is pain?
Tell me I do not know
how something so plain
could be so unknown

Is it fire?
Is it ice?
Is it lost love?
Is it new found hate?
Is it guilt?

Does the crippled man
feel more pain then
the paralyzed man
I don't understand
how one word
could mean so much

Does anyone know?
Does anyone understand?
Please tell me

Is it the wounded man?
Is it the lonely widow?
Tell me
what is pain?