The quote expresses a deep, paradoxical relationship with pain, highlighting the complexity of emotions tied to love and existence. The speaker acknowledges a piercing pain, likened to a frozen knife in his chest, emanating from being with someone important. This pain is characterized as awful but also as something for which the speaker feels gratitude, suggesting that it gives weight and meaning to his life.

By referring to the pain as an anchor, the speaker implies that despite its discomfort, it provides stability and a sense of identity. This connection between pain and existence reveals a profound understanding of human emotions, where suffering and love intertwine, creating a unique experience that defines the self.