Temporary symptomatic relief
That does not get at the cause of the pain
What did you really expect
The brimming cup of happiness

Nevertheless the anti-inflammatory function
Does more than nothing
Though the effect is subtle
And a matter of the longer term

But immediate relief is what we’re after
When the mother in labor
Otherwise demure and contained cries
I’m uncomfortable you son of a bitch

Can there truly be no help for pain
Ah love let us be true to one another
Well hell shouldn’t everybody be truthful
Shouldn’t everybody at least try to tell the truth

An institutional superior
Once disparaged shooting the breeze
But who has not sustained trauma
And sought relief in timely utterance