flu...sleep
aluminum lining of being sick
I'll take it
dreamless, soundless sleep
from any quarters is welcomed
always welcomed.

mostly quiet on the southern front
occasional roar, short roar
might have deployed
good luck, be safe, come home
alive

sister slayer, I am not
blood ones bring out a beast in me.
wishing for my nursing sisters
better than blood ones, they are
we stood together, played together
wept as singles, wept as doubles
slumped against each other
in exhaustion after 36 hours non-stop
except to pee...
several times I won the pot
for holding mine the longest
no promotion for that accomplishment

I miss them
they be dead, some by their own hand
some from AO exposure
cancer, cancer everywhere
beat the boob one once
Mea Culpa! said scared Catholic girl
beat it and it will go away
the boob stayed, the cancer did not

crawling out of this episode
pensive, reflecting
my little chickadee,
mine, not W.C. Fields
the tiny trapeze artist
found that wonderful quote from Tom The Tracker
indomitable spirit of the chickadee
so I'll land on the line, swing upside down
sway in the breeze
'cause I can
I've Got Spirit
no rhythm, no grace, can't carry a hymn or a hum
but
I've Got Spirit

I kept the faith
thank you tdts
your hand to mine when I stumbled
thank you
mine ready