Poem of the Day

Since I had one of these for two days . . .

Migraine
by Linda Pastan

Ambushed by
pins and needles
of light . . . by jagged

voices . . . strobes . . .
the sanctuary is taken
from within.

I am betrayed by
the fractured
senses. I

crouch on the
tilting floor of
consciousness, fearing

the eggshell
skull won't hold, will crack,
as the lid is tightened

another implacable
inch. I would banish every
blessing--these shooting

stars . . . the future . . .
all brilliant
excitations--just for

silence of sleep
or the cotton wool
of the perfected dark.