Pain Poem by Absara Ghiorghis

A feeling that is unavoidable
like hitting traffic at rush hour
or doing the taxes on April 14th.
A feeling that can consume the body
sort of like love and laughter.
It is its evil relative,
making unexpected yet predicted appearances
like unwanted house guests.
It doesn't leave willingly,
this feeling that can throb
both inside
and on the surface.
This feeling needs attention-
Not with a band-aid,
Kleenex
or money.
It needs something else-
something more,
something real:
understanding.