joy

Migraines and the Art of Pain

The Jail Tree by Michele Bledsoe

Excruciating headache

since 2:00 am

curled up

hand clamped over my eye

to keep it from

popping out of my skull

beneath the unyielding pressure.

It went on and on

for hours and hours

coming in terrible waves..

When relief came

I was bursting with gratitude..

how wonderful it is

when pain stops.

So I ran to my easel

and painted and painted

with such great joy..

The headache did not return..

banished like a demon

in the light of God’s gift.

A mirror image.. this is my right hand.

I hurt my hand.

Must have happened while doing some work around the house.

Nothing spectacular.

Fortunately, two of my sisters are nurses.

The immobilization will give it time to heal..

but I take the brace off to paint.

I can’t help myself.

I just started a new painting..

and I am consumed with the joy of it.

The hand?

Yes, it hurts when I paint..

but it would hurt more if I stopped.