The Migraine Speaks (much to my dismay)
Yes, that ball bearing behind your right eye
It is I
Thief of thoughts
Barbed-wire butchery
Trailing tacks and nails and
prickly pins
I’ll stick in your head
‘til you wish you were dead
I strike with little warning
and lots of retching and tears
and pulling of the blinds
I am your migraine
You are my prisoner
(until the meds kick in)
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
I have not shared much in the way of my artwork, but lately I’ve taken up drawing as therapy. The picture above was drawn during a migraine, so it was quite a feat for me.
For Imaginary Garden With Real Toads’ Open Link Monday, plus dverse Open Mic, and ABC Wednesday later this week… “M” is for migraine.
Sharp Little Pencil 
http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com
I bet that clever poem was written afterwards. During a migraine (and thank God I grew out of them with the menopause) I could do nothing at all, so your graphic depiction of the state is absolutely brilliant.
Sharp Little Pencil
Viv, thanks for the “clever” mention… yes, the poem was written after the migraine had passed, using the picture, which I wrote DURING the migraine, as a sort of roadmap.
koniramm
I am sorry you had to endure that. I have had some bad headaches but never an actual migraine.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank your lucky stars! And now, to check out your blog. Thanks for commenting! Amy
vandana
get well soon
J Cosmo Newbery
I’ve never had a migraine but I have never heard anyone speak kindly of them so they are not on my ‘to-do’ list. Hope it is/was short-lived.
L. Edgar Otto
I have read lately that migraines start from a very small place in the brain and expand outward, a growing storm covering everything… your picture and poem is accurate in this respect. I have known many with some form of this affliction, some who had to lay in bed for days on the worst days… or muddle thru their work. It is hard to imagine from the glimpse all of us sometimes get. We are still far from the cause and cure for different things work for some people and different types of them… this is a very close connection for those of us caught between the picture and the words. The tortured prisoner learns to endure much more than most of us, and wait it out running exhausted ahead but a few seconds on the clock more. For my good friend there was at last a new med that worked for him.
Sharp Little Pencil
I have a good med, sumatriptan, but it can’t be taken often. Trick is to get it down at the first sign of the migraine, then meditate. People who work in offices don’t usually get that luxury, the time alone… nor time to take the pill!
Roger Green
Migraine, you bastard. GO AWAY!
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, what he said! Thanks for having my back, Rog!
Polly Robinson
What a way to describe a migraine … so true!
‘Barbed-wire butchery / Trailing tacks and nails and / prickly pins …’
Most effective 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Polly. You either have experiences with them or know someone very well who gets them. Otherwise, you would not appreciate the graphics!!
brian miller
ugh….def does not sound fun…i have had some nasty headaches, luckily i am not prone to migraines…i know they can be debilitating…..
ρöετις
Proving once again that something good can always come from something bad! 😊
Sharp Little Pencil
Ah, yes, the same way my prayers are disturbed by the music in my head and I have to turn on the light and write it out. Nice observation, Poetic, heading your way now! Amy
ᑭӪᘍꚌᎥᘓ
I often wonder if thats how God created man, he was doing something else and had a brilliant idea which made him rush out and create!
Laurie Kazmierczak
Perfect description of my grains as they shift around grating the mind♫ My most recent blog: http://lauriekazmierczak.com/happy-trails/
Sharp Little Pencil
Great write, Laurie. Thanks for the URL! Amy
Shah Wharton
I get cluster headaches, but have had the misfortune of having a migraine three times in my life – OUCH! I thought I would die. You got this spot on. X
Sharp Little Pencil
Sorry you could identify so clearly, Shah. Now off to see your work! Amy
kaykuala
How they threaten and impose at will without mercy! I’ve seen the distorted feel and the tears of those afflicted. I hope you’ll grow out of it in time.
And that’s a very grand sketch. Very telling of what you went through. Your sketch is a well disciplined expression. This means you were all the while in control and had clear thinking when it was happening! Great write Amelita!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Hank, you always have the nicest comments…
I was proud of the fact that I could actually create something during the migraine. It comes from an exercise my therapist taught me – when I am feeling something strongly, I take a big crayon and close my eyes and scribble whatever with my NON-dominant hand. Then we look at it from many angles.
I’m using art more and more as a tool in my mental health toolbox. Thanks again, Hank. Love, Amy
Kerry O'Connor
From your description, I am so glad I have never experienced a migraine. Your words brought a vivid and tactile image of suffering.
Hope you are feeling better now.
Sharp Little Pencil
Kerry, thanks. They come and go, and they only last an hour or two. But if I worked outside the home, how could I sit at my desk with one eye closed and my hands at my temples? I cannot imagine how folks who work handle these. And they are definitely stress related, as well as triggered by certain foods and drinks. Annoying/hell. Amy
The Transcanada Poet
I have never suffered from migraines… after reading this my sympathy is greatly enhanced… hope your well
Sharp Little Pencil
I’m fine now… and off to see your blog! Thanks for stopping by. Amy
Susan
Yikes! Not only does Migraine take up residence, it ENJOYS your pain and retching, Your drawing is too kind, but if you did it while under torture you had to be very very careful. I only had one once. I do not think I could endure frequent attacks. Good luck with the drawing.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Susan. Yes, I took up scribbles as part of my therapy, and you should see how hard the pen hit the paper, leaving sharp grooves, as though I meant every line. Glad you have been spared… Amy
Jamie Dedes
Oh yes! This says it all. So grateful that I haven’t had one in years. Turns out for me menopause was the cure. LOL! I hope you find yourself feeling better now, Amy.
The sketch is a vivid interpretation.
Sharp Little Pencil
Jamie, thanks for stopping. Ironically, menopause was when my migraines BEGAN!! Guess we’re all unique. Mine aren’t triggered by any foods… usually stress. And if I don’t get the meds in time, yuck! Coming your way now, thanks. Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
So sorry, kiddo. Migraines are harsh. I admire the drawing you managed in its grip.
ManicDdaily
agh! Your poem gives a strong feeling of the pain and the picture even a stronger one I’ve only ever had one–awful. One of those things where one really does want meds! Hope you are better! Take care, k.
mishunderstood
Have done the migraine thing…not fun. I am so impressed at how you managed to articulate yourself so eloquently through the fog and the pain. Good job!! 🙂
Jim
O Gee, Amy ~~ I am sorry and saddened to hear of this happening to you (again). I like the drawing, pins, nails, lightening discharges, that little thing on top I don’t know what is, and THE ball bearing. Wow!!
Have you read “Drood,” written by Dan Simmons? It is Simmons’ version of an explanation and ending to Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel, “Drood.” That said, Simmons has his character, Drood, having mystical powers to infect the body and brain with worms being in Drood’s command that take over a person. Your BALL BEARING poem and the drawing reminded me of a body and mind afflicted with Drood’s worms.
BTW, Dickens in the book had a perpetual struggle with Drood to avoid being overtaken. Dickens became addicted to opium and other drugs partly as a result of that fight. I believe it can happen, I got hooked on Vicodin with my knee joint transplant. It was quite pleasant except for the withdrawal part of trying to quit. I postponed that for quite a while, like three months.
..
Jim
I have Dickens’ “Drood” on my iPhone (and computer) as a Kindle book. It was free.
🙂 Get well fast, Amy (my wish and prayer for you).
..
claudia
ugh – migraine is terrible… a colleague of mine suffers really hard from it.. hope you’re feeling better already..
Truedessa
Sorry to hear you have a migraine they are no fun I suffer from them as well..but, I cannot take any medication so I go through days of hell.. I can relate to your pain.
Rowan Taw
Wow! I like the art work and words. I wish I could draw – so well done with the migraine.
Shakti Ghosal
Great depiction, both pictorially and by verse.
But chronic issues like the migraine, do they really strike without warning? Or could there be underlying aspects within which are getting drowned out by our lifestyles? I remain unsure….
Shakti
ninotaziz
Amy darling.
Even a headache drives me nuts. I can’t imagine a migraine. Take care.
I do like your art therapy. I doodle too…but am too shy to share!
readerwil
You describe migraine so well! I can almost feel it myself.I think I had it as a child in Indonesia. It’s a real pest.
Have a migraine free week!
Wil, ABCW Team
Kathryn Dyche Dechairo
A particularly bad one visited me last night. I feel for anyone who suffers with migraines they can be so debilitating. Love the description, can definitely relate.
Laurie Kolp
I didn’t realize you got migraines, Amy… bless you. I’m glad you’ve started drawing and can’t wait to see what’s next!
tigerbrite
I remember them… and the retching and afterwards feeling exhausted. Like Viv, after the menopause I only occasionally get rainbow lights like a kaleidoscope in the eye for a short time. Trust you are feeling better:)
Tracy Crenshaw
Oh, I know that feeling far too well. As always, beautifully written. I especially enjoyed the lines:
‘It is I
Thief of thoughts
Barbed-wire butchery’
Mary
Your picture definitely depicts what a migraine must FEEL like. I have never had one, but after reading your poem I never WANT to either. Feel better, Amy.
Rajesh
Nice poem and very artistic sketch.
Leslie
My daughter can certainly relate to this. Unfortunately, she has what is called “chronic migraine” and is currently undergoing botox treatment from a neurologist to see if that will help. Nothing else does.
Leslie
abcw team
Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
The barbed wire butchery… so well expressed for pain (and I have been spared migraine) — very strong poetry Amy and picture is so strong.. I can’t imagine how you managed to make it.
grapeling
my brain malfunctions in different ways than yours, Amy – lucky that I don’t suffer from those.
Ginny Brannan
Pain–if one can’t get rid of it, they can at least write about it. Know I have (not migraine, but knee problem.) Hope you are able to find some relief when they set in. Like the poem, really liked the drawing. Great capture of imagery to express what you were going through.
Hildred Finch
You make me feel very grateful that I have never had a migraine – good for you, writing so explicitly and poetically about it.
I HAVE A VOICE
Everyone has written for me my thoughts ~ These are very trying upon my body & spirit ~ your adjectives & description are absorbing ! Hope you’re feeling better dear friend ~ Faithfully Debbie
Gay (beachanny)
A raw and revealing poem. Great to be able to create from a place of pain. I admire that very much!
margaret
barbed-wire butchery – that about says it! So sorry!
Pamela
A vivid interpretation of those headaches, Amelita. Wishing you well from south of the border.
Pamelita
El Guapo
Gah! They should really come up with an effective medication for that.
On the other hand, we have Viagra, so…
Great piece!
mybeautfulthings
I, too, grew out of migraines with the menopause. Sorry you have to endure these, they are so horrid. Amazed you could draw during! 🙂