the memory of pain fades quickly

the memory of pain fades quickly

the mother giving birth for the second time
in the throes of labor thinks
If I remembered it was like this, I'd never have gone off the pill

the fighter in the ring thinks
as his opponent's glove finds his chin
I've never been hit like this before!
but seconds later the blow is forgotten

as the tattoo needle bites and bites and bites
laying open his flesh
the man lying on the table thinks
it was not like this before!
but when it is over there is only a mild sting and the endorphin glow

the memory of pain fades quickly
if this were not so, how could any of us trust to love?