After 90 minutes at the computer, first time in days, I ached all over. Anti-inflammatory to the rescue! I realized a short time later that I had been awake the entire afternoon, that I had a small something that could be called appetite, and that I had the energy to go cook a very simple meal (my wife is marching behind me on this Road of Sickness).
Not me. Just the way I felt. April 1973.
What's this? Is that my brain? No! Really? Consciousness, creative thought? For more than one hour? Oh, happy day! Now listen up, Body: You're lagging behind. Yes, I actually stayed awake through this afternoon—good start— but you've got a long way to go. I need appetite, normal temps, and speaking of normal, let's start sleeping at regular bedtimes. I'm tired of getting up at four a.m. Okay?
I didn’t think I would be posting a poem today. I woke at 4 a.m. because I turned out the lights to sleep around 7:15 p.m. I’ve been spending much of my time asleep these past three days. When I woke today my temp registered 102.4 in its continual upward climb. For a guy who normally registers 97.8, it was just too high. Couldn’t stay awake, but after another couple hours of sleep, I booked an early appointment at the UNC Urgent Care. In just over an hour I confirmed that I have the flu (A) despite testing negative for it on Thursday morning. Apparently the fever broke because they didn’t even get 100 until I made them do it again: 100.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Forcing myself to eat some toast, I napped yet again, but woke feeling a little more normal. That short period of lucidity produced the poem. Having napped again(!), I now feel I’m slipping downhill, but at least I know there’s nothing for it but to drink ridiculous amounts of water, sleep, and wait it out.
Anise hyssop with what I believe is a hornet. I’m too whacked to look it up. August 2026.
Why is it called "The Flu"? From where did it fly? To where could it be going? Certainly not far. Like guests who say, "I must be leaving," only to do anything but, this unwanted visitor refuses to leave or to let us get on with our lives. Sure, there's some scientific mumbo- jumbo about 'influenza' but if your nickname's The Flu that's enough certitude for me. Long ago I had The Flu. One night I thought I might be dying, so scoured by its fevers. This time I half wished for that kind of fever to carry me away, to wherever it flies. Now boarding Airline Flu!
