Despite Pain
(To the tune of "King of Pain" by The Police.)
So he broods and stares out of the window-glass:
The raindrops streak down; crawling minutes pass.
A bitter pill dissolves upon his tongue:
Pain is the fermata in a song half-sung.
He's resigned to the fact: there will be no release.
Opiates buy a temporary, toxic peace
On a battleground where wartime will never cease:
Some days, the only thing he knows is pain's increase.
Still, a diagnostician stands before his board:
Living despite pain.
A musician's fingers dance another chord:
Living despite pain.
A mentor weaves a complex metaphor:
Living despite pain.
A friend plays a prank to settle the score.
He's the lover of truth with speech that's too forthright,
He is the employee who will stand up and fight.
He's the analyst reading test results by night,
He's the taker of chances, he who says, "It might…"
He's a mentor who's proud of his protégé.
He's a friend who is longing for his friend to stay.
He's a doctor doing what he knows is right,
He's a scientist seeking out reason's light.
[Instrumental break.]
And he broods and stares out of the window-glass:
The raindrops streak down; crawling minutes pass.
A bitter pill dissolves upon his tongue:
Pain is the fermata in a song half-sung.
He is the Icarus who may or may not fall.
He is the man brought low who is still standing tall.
He is the observer whose sharp gaze sees it all.
He is the ailing patient's final port of call.
Despite pain.
Goes on living despite pain.
Goes on living despite pain.