Mark's Pages

May 9, 2004:

Fever blisters.

It's necessary to lance them before they destroy the eardrum. But, it's very painful.

The adults hold the child down on an examining table. A nurse, the mother, the receptionist. If the lance slips it could destroy the eardrum.

It's explained to the panting child. It will hurt. A lot. But, he mustn't move.

As the doctor begins the child's little voice rises to an anguished scream. All his muscles are tense for flight. But he doesn't budge, doesn't flinch, keeps his entire body absolutely still, especially the head with its poor sick ear oozing blood and pain beneath the knife.

The adults behave as though your stillness were something heroic. Marveling at your unflinching stubbornness in the face of excruciating pain. Yet it wasn't difficult. Even at that age you knew what a bad idea it would be to have your eardrums shredded by a sharp instrument. That's what rock and roll was for.