Fight the fever, child
Make right the crooked clock
syncopating those cringing seconds
that slip so quickly from your brain
If you must stay tucked away
Hydrate your corpse and feed
to keep your lungs strong
you’ll need to speak when the illness is gone
and when time falls into a waltz
you’ll have to adjust your step
to walk mindfully on the river rocks
keep your feet soft to feel the jagged edges
cutting into your flesh
bleed heavily on the bandages
leave them soiled beneath your stance
do not let yourself callous
I beg of you
'tis much kinder to the soul to let yourself scar and be torn again