Pain Is A Permanent Marker Poem by Dipak Sen

pain is a permanent marker
unalterable like bad surgery
undoable like stomach knots
unremovable like coffee stains on carpet
unwanted tattoos tell the truth

reminder of pain imprints in flesh
indelible ink writing on private parts
ingrained in memory like dirty rings around a tub

surgery scars reveal new skin
entrenched in the brain
pushed to the back of the mind
pain recorded, hidden, collated, undeleted
recycled every 14 days
triggered by foul smell, bad tastes and bitter tea

badly drawn with a pen
pain is a permanent marker
forever and binding