listing number of comments within Page content

The codex link says it must be in the Loop to function. I placed <p>This page currently has <?php comments_popup_link('no Comments »', '1 Comment »', '% Comments »'); ?></p> in the Page template, within the Loop, but nothing appears.

I am seeking to place this line after the first paragraph of Page content… which can’t be within the Loop, right?

This is the page I’m testing: http://www.nathangibbs.com/self-portrait/

Oh, right… yes, that works within the Loop, thanks.

But using the Loop, I’m limited to only the top or bottom of the page… How could I get it to display in the middle of the Page?

Thank you! You are my hero!