It’s Just The Hypoalgesic Effect

a poem about anguish and adrenaline

Research into the hypoalgesic effect of swearing has shown that the use of profanity can help reduce the sensation of pain.

I’m not insane I’m not insane I’m just in pain.

An hour after she told me you moved on I’m still stuck in a loop of the hypoalgesic effect.

I’m screaming fuck into the windshield the entire drive from Dallas (for hours on end) because my body is trying to fight my anguish with adrenaline

trying to make an enemy of my memory of us.

I scream so loud my own ears ring. I don’t have an answer.

I’m not insane, my brain knows I’m in danger and is trying to turn agony to anger — to help me survive.

But if I could, I would drive straight from Texas to D.C. (if you’d let me) screaming and cursing the whole way.

Stopping the second I see you.