I really like this, @girlbeforemirror. I'll admit though, it took a second glance.

I just reread your poem with the commentary you gave improv and here's what I'm picking up:

The person in pain is the only one who can feel it. They may or may not have some kind of outward manifestation of it. Regardless, there's a limit to people's patience, love and compassion, and it can be exceeded because the pain never goes away and it can only exhaust the sufferer, but those around them.

So, what happens when the chart they hand you not only goes up to 10, but you feel like you're starting out at 12?