Sadism and Masochism: Pain as Pleasure
Pleasure and Pain: Sometimes the Same
Pleasure and pain
Does not make things
Easy to explain,
For their relationship
Is not always
What one might assume.
To pursue the one
And avoid the latter
Is not always the case
Or a rule
For that matter.
Devotees of the
Marquis de Sade
Find pleasure in
Inflicting pain on others
While the masochist
Might grin
As feelings others
Might covet
Are deliberately
Smothered.
To some among us,
Though it is hard
To explain,
The giving or getting
Of pain
Is experienced as
A pleasurable gain.
Of the millions of isms
That fill the world,
Sadomasochism
Can be the most confounding
To see unfurled.
Pain and pleasure,
Pleasure and pain;
They may seem
Self evident
But can be
Challenging
To tolerate,
Live with
Or explain.
Like dry rain
Sadism and
Masochism
Would seem to run
Against the grain
Of that regarded
As humane.
Yet,
It is humans who embrace
These things
And the pleasure
That for them
Engaging in pain
Brings.
Published by David A. Reinstein, LCSW - Featured Contributor in Technology
Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist, born in Boston and a relatively unscathed survivor of the 60 s. Fan of technology, guitars, creating music and poetry. Mental wellness coach, staff trainer and parent... View profile
- Adult Alternative Lifestyle: Dating and Relationships with a TwistWhy do people pursue adult alternative lifestyles and relationships? The answers are as many as the individuals. But one that tends to go across the board is- you guessed it- fun. Another reason is the fulfillment of...
- Sexual SadismThere is a time when fetishes can become more than just fantasy play.
- The Normalcy of Deviancy? Sexual Fantasies DefinedA large part of the population have had inclinations to engage in sexually perverse activities, though how large is unknown.
- Andrea Dworkin and the Marquis De Sade: De Sade as a Misogynistic PornographerLiterary Critism
- An Elegy for Hunter S. Thompson: America's Marquis De Sade Checks OutWritten moments after the author learned of Thompson's death. Republished after watching a weird documentary made by Hunter's Hollywood friends.
- Fictionalizing Schopenhauer and Subtextualizing De Sade: Kafka's Absurd Existentia...
- Sadism and Masochism Represent Mental Health Hurts and Cries for Help
- Bondage & Discipline, Domination & Submission, Sadism & Masochism: The Collar
- BDSM, Bondage and Slave Contracts
- A Mother of a 12-year-old Girl Lets a Man Train Her Daughter as a Dominatrix
- BDSM 101: The Basics of Bondage and Beyond
- Sexual Sadism: An Interview with Dr. Hedwig Eisenbarth
25 Comments
Post a CommentNicely Written, thank you
Very interesting!
As I am sure you know, the Marquis de Sade was just as interested in receiving the whip as he was in inflicting it.
I'm glad this is not my cup of tea. You covered the subject will.
Great stuff David. It reaches beyond what we typically think about these things. It goes in to what people do day in and day out. Excellent!
Well done, and you've chosen a tempo that gives a feeling that makes me feel like I understand the sadomasochism phenomenon even though I really don't. I love how that works out and it's brilliant.
Well done!
Very thought-provoking. Well done!
Very Good David.
What a topic of discussion you spark.