Crime vs pain

Pain control is a large part of the job working in palliative care. Many words are used to describe pain, and I was struck by the crossover with words that also describe crimes. Perpetrators of crime are often dealt with by our legal system, but there is no similar justice system when it comes to cancer. 


Crime vs. Pain

Shooting, stabbing, even burning,
All are worthy of the news 
All are acts of mindless violence,
Unacceptable abuse.

Shooting, stabbing, even burning,
Words used to describe the pain
Words of daily life for many
Unacceptable again.

What’s horrific to the nation
Stirring up emotion, feeling
Can be normal for the patient - 
Daily grind takes on new meaning.

Though the villains are convicted,
Justice prevailing in the end,
Cancer is again acquitted
Moving on to re-offend.

Unacceptable. 

The end.



Rachel McCoubrie 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.

COVID #6: The morning after winter solstice

I wrote this at the end of December 2020. It had been an incredibly difficult year for everyone. The pandemic had taken its toll in so many ...

Previous posts