Illness

the desperation of aching skin
stiff joints, slow roast in the eye sockets,
ears, throat, one flu over
the cuckoo’s nest
chills and heat
chills and heat
goosebumps on my goosebumps
sleep, sleep, sleep

Wrapped in Blankets

i cannot tame the tumultuous masses

that tremble within her gasping cough

nor can i tear the pale, yellowed skin

from confining the misery of her contorted face

as the chills bring her closer

to their distant reality

something not here

something not yet away

i feel the hot sting of tears

draping my mind as ever

she cannot go

she cannot die

she will not