Demon's Kiss
by
Dennis Sandmeier
Kennewick, Washington

A searing poem about living with the pain and uncertainly of trigeminal neuralgia.

If I had been born in medieval times
I surely would have been burned by brethren
As a warlock possessed by evil demons
That might, were I let to live, breach my body
And stalk freely among God-fearing men.

But I am let to live in this age of science
Because an unholy demonic presence in my face
Bears the non-satanic name, Trigeminal Neuralgia,
And high priests of MRI medicine pointed to a place
On the root of my right fifth cranial nerve.

There TN defies science's rituals of exorcism
So I am, betimes, possessed by this demon
Of my own body's creation - whose unearthly power
surpasseth all human understanding but those
Who know the poisoned sting in this demon's kiss.

At his uncertain whim I yield to him my reason,
My power to stand, to speak an intelligible word
Or hear a comforting word from loved ones
Staring helplessly, wincing, when my Demon
Startled by a tender touch, wakens in my face.

Today, though he has napped fitfully for an hour,
His dry forked demon's tongue is flicking my cheek;
As I am let to live this painfree piece of my life
He dully dreams behind open empty slitted eyes
Of everything his poisoned-fanged kiss can kill.