why do you write so much about pain? they ask me. To give it a name, I reply. And I am not sure what I mean. I try again: In October, when the leaves have fallen, from the trees, you can see farther into the forest. Now do you see? No? Well, what is your no- tion of pain? Pain is fire, a ravening, insa- tiable thing that insists upon utter domina- tion; it is the occasion when the body reas- serts itself over the mind; the universe con- tracts about the part that hurts; if the pain is not placated...