PAIN (the back, biting)

you nest thick as lice in my old bones
to fly at night when i'm alone  
and nestle cold and cuddle deep  
and sweat the sheets and steal my sleep  
  
and raise me up with bony nudge  
to limp the hall and pray and trudge  
'til in wee hour i've had my fill  
and i relent and take the pill  
   
and lay me down to close my eyes  
one restless wink before sunrise