Information and opinions on Chronic Pain from antiquityhill at ChronicPainConnection.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002 http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002 http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002/39010/rubber-chicken Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:21:54 -0400 antiquityhill NIGHT OF THE RUBBER CHICKEN   She stands at the top of a hill'neath winking stars at the Midnight hour,praying as she works to dress herself.   Bare feetbright blue shortsGrandma's house dresspink and purple makeupred lipstickglitterpeacock featherspaper bag hatlong white glovestiny bells   Her watch beeps Midnightand she turns to face the bright full moon.Tears struggle to overflow onto parched lips.With a naked chicken in... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002/39010/rubber-chicken http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002/38976/within-without Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:33:13 -0400 antiquityhill WITHIN AND WITHOUT   He is dying.'The Wolf' has me in its gripand though I fight Itwith all my strength,it is not enough and I am failing.Once, I held my friend in my arms to save him,but now I weep, for I cannot help him.   He is dying.For months I have watched himand fed him, and touched himbut I cannot stop the inevitable.My best friend is failing.I cannot bear the thoughtof being without him, butI cannot help him.   He... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002/38976/within-without http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002/38974/family-sleeps Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:12:23 -0400 antiquityhill MY FAMILY SLEEPS In my dreamsGargoyles with drooling teethand blood-tipped clawsgrip me by my joints,tugging, pulling, tearing,wanting me.My family sleeps   In my dreamsI lay my swollen head backand close my throbbing eyesand paralyzed,I scream.My family sleeps.   In my dreamsA silent scream is heard by noneand I awake.I imagine the dampness around meis blood instead of sweat, and,My family sleeps.   I my dreamsthe... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002/38974/family-sleeps http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002/13793/devotion Tue, 18 Sep 2007 10:16:00 -0400 antiquityhill "Devotion"     He wakes me. In the early morning dawn, Dew on the grass, Heavy from the night, And in the silence, He is still here.   The Beast Holds me in His stifling, Tight embrace. From the base of my head To the center of my brain He crawls.   He roars And I stifle the moaned reply, Grabbing my head As my body writhes in its Horizontal dance Of Pain   My mind Goes to Peaceful... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002/13793/devotion http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002/13656/someday Sat, 15 Sep 2007 08:48:00 -0400 antiquityhill "Someday" ~ My beautiful daughter,With golden blonde curlsAnd chubby legsAnd deep brown eyesPlays among the dandelionsAnd the horses. She looks at me and smiles,Dandelion chain around her neck,And I wink at her. I am a Lioness.I am her mother.I will protect her with my life,Even to put my own body Before hers. I know the pain Of this invisible diseaseAnd I will not let it have her. I am a warrior.My sword... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002/13656/someday http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002/13636/betrayed Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:23:00 -0400 antiquityhill Betrayed     I am sleeping, dreaming peaceful hours In a fragrant field of meadow flowers And green, green, sweet clover, And beautiful white horses.   In my dream I turn my head and "Crack", a muted flash of light that grips my eyes And hangs on with hooked fingernails, Tugging and pulling with all its strength, And I am on the ground. The mercy of sleep is not quite gone.   I smell the... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/4002/13636/betrayed