Revisiting Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” album, this parody is based on the song “Comfortably Numb.” Original song lyrics available at: http://pinkfloyd.net/lyrics/index.php?album=6&PHPSESSID=82dcc57d5c4bad287310ad4301287b64#19  This parody contains speculation about House’s backstory when it comes to his injuries. So, feel free to take it as a “what if?” scenario that plays a bit ‘fast and loose’ with the timelines. :-)

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“Mercifully Numb”

Hello?

Doesn’t anybody care?

It’s like they look right through me

As if “the lights are on but nobody’s home”

I still remember, now,

That sudden feeling and falling down

When my leg exploded with pain

And I didn’t know if I’d ever walk, again

I said, “Give me the facts.

I’ve figured out it hurts.

Will I have to quit sports like Track?

And will it get better or worse?”

There was just pain—so misleading

The minor slip of a misdiagnosis wasn’t surprising

I couldn’t move, at first, and was barely conscious for days

They say my lips moved, even in sleep—I think I was praying

Torment burned through my mind like a fever

I prayed death would claim me soon

Now, daily, I battle the pain

But how can I explain that this man

You think you see is not who I am

Pills have helped me become mercifully numb

They say

Vicodin will do the trick

I’ll stop screaming, “Aaaaaaaah!”

But need a cane or walking stick

I can stand up

And manage to keep working… Good!

Meds will help with pain control

And now I’m on my own

If you think there’s never pain you are self-deceiving

You’ll never understand—that’s not surprising

It’s like a knife wound on better days

When my lips move, unconsciously, I’m praying

Like a lost child

Hoping for a glimpse

Of God’s mercy—but, there’s no reply

The life I could have lived is gone

And though no one can tell, now

Then, I cried and groaned

Realizing my dreams were gone