An experimental poem about migraines, using non-poetic words. |
Paula Lehman 9/14/06 Trepanation Maxalt contains rizatriptan benzoate A powdery, mint ghost on my tongue. A selective 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonist. Long ago, people who suffered like me Were touched, filled with magic. Shamans, seers, wise women. Rizatriptan binds with high affinity to 5-HT 18 receptors. Now, like everyone, we are medicated. Pumped with triptans And extracts of ergot That centuries ago Created witches Of old women and dogs. Chemicals dancing around in the Broken glass lightshow in my head. My optical nerves gnawed By some unseen insects. Buzzing like a hive Between my ears. Theories on the etiology of migraine Suggest that symptoms are due to Chronic overthinking, lack of sleep, Excessive bourbon, peanut butter, red wine, Stress, hormones, being weak. Local cranial vascodilation. Like a blood spot behind my nose Or an immersion blender, Twisting it all loose. Hollow pain Like the sound of A filament bursting Somewhere deep inside. I have six bottles of pills Same results, same weird looks, Bad grades, lost jobs, lost friends. At least it’s not cancer, At least you won’t die, It’s all in your head. May cause alterations in heart beat, nervousness, Vertigo, tremor, sleep disturbance, Renal difficulty, hives, wheezing, Hangover effect, ringing in ears, acid reflux, Headache. |