Why is pain so alienating?

How does it slice the heart 

so neatly

without any sight of blood?

It wraps you, shields you

from the smiling faces around,

keeps you ensconced 

in your acute solitude.

So much so that

joy feels jarring, 

and your lips quiver

in an effort to smile.

It fills every breath

with awareness -

absolute awareness

of its enormous presence

in the same space

where love once resided.