Pain (A Sonnet) - For My Dear Friend, Albert Poem by Barry Blander

How does one measure another man's pain?
What compass describes pain's circumference?
In a ward my good friend vents sorrow's rain
Anguish hid, today given prominence.
Took knife to his neck and cut, out oozed blood.
The medics came, concerned, took him away.
This young man could not see hope's just-born bud;
Saw night in every corner of day.
Told me without tremor: 'I cut myself.'
Caught off-guard, knew not what to say or do.
Thank God it was only a cry for help.
Oh, precious gem; a friend, now far and few.
I pray that God's Holy Love will heal him
And that bright day over dark night will win.