For a heinous crime this punishment must be.
Whatever I can do in repentance,
Someone, I beg, please, won't you tell me?
On my knees I pray for divine defense.

But sadly no deity heeds my plea
Sadly suffering for some awful act
For ignorance I suffer ignominy
For sweet relief I would make any pact.

No such offer comes, though I lie in wait
Upon my humble couch curled against light.
To work I will be in pain and quite late
My sick days are long gone, my money tight.

Medical bills pound my poor aching head
As undone homework piles rise up high.
Professors and bosses think "Is she dead?"
"Tut tutting" my seeming good health, they sigh.

Thus must I return in aftershock pain
When able my work must lack no effort,
For soon the unendurable migraine
Returns from its absence ever too short.

Though I trudge on in such a fearful state
I do hope that my boss will understand
And my professors will only placate.
Should my pain subject me to reprimand?
 

© 2006, Sharon E.