Dead viruses supposed keep away death,

but he's more cruel than we

can imagine:

coughing fits, then red faced,

pants pissed in,

and all you can do

is hide under blankets,

out-waiting death,

who's bored of you

re-watching movies,

twitting memes about being sick,

re-reading your medical note;

doctor said it could last a month,

so she wrote you off for three days.

 

Thermometer tells how

you're burning alive

while deaf to death's yawn-

weary of your bed-rest,

chicken noodle soup,

orange juice sucked through a straw,

and all you can do

is boldly anticipate next winter's needle.

​