GHOST OF INFLUENZA

12 19 12

I.

You are a mischievous one
ghost of influenza
compelling me to question
the memory of shooing
you a few days back
My passages lack
the liquid obstruction
that froze me
like a flooded engine
so why do I sniff
incessantly on a night
when unlike a few days back
when I swallowed
what I should have spit out
I feel like a month
so precious to my art
now swallows me
like exhausted gum
into its white gut
where winter like gastric acid
cremates a wonderland
I got to visit every year
around this time
What used to be celestial
is now a storm
Silver-thawed branches
scrawny brats of blizzards now
The sole positive remaining
I suppose is the nasal shaming
of the destination of the wind
chill's corrupted water gun
in the walls I would have
disregarded for a walk
in the flurries in softer years
But you leave me
specter of the flu
with the mystery of these
dry sniffles

II.

I guess I said too much
I should have known better
than to agitate a ghost
much less a ghost of sickness
Now you take it out
on my lashes

I should have been content
with the dryness I longed for
a few days back
At least I knew the reason
for my leaking then

Reviews

[KeeD]

The imagery of this piece is beyond this world. How does one turn a seasoned flu into a piece of art. A conversational masterpiece between the author and the sickness that infests him. I don't know where you live but i'm coming there, to catch this flu, so I can be inspired to write a great write, just like you. Bravo, this was one of the best poems I've read on this site. Definitely one of my favorites.

[kublakhan27]

Haha trust me, you don't want what I had, I didn't eat for three days and lost a few pounds in the process...I really appreciate the kind words though, and I'm glad to know my writing means something...many thanks :)

[KeeD]

Means a lot, so much respect for your work. And I could really use the couple of pounds lost, all these Christmas sweets have got the chubby inner beast roaring. Lol.

[avant security guard]

liked it--inspiring

[kublakhan27]

Thank you very much

[Frieda P]

Who knew the flu could be a source of inspiration. Truth always makes a good read, I've had my bout with it, never so clever to get a good write out of it, instead I kept trying to kick it's arse. You did much better, clever read. ;-)

[kublakhan27]

Haha I'd love to find more positive sources of inspiration, but when the Muse calls, you gotta answer right? :P Thank you for the compliments, I'm glad you like it ;)

[KAOlmsted]

Well, Ufi said what I was going to say, so there's hardly any point, is there :-p

I really liked this, k...and not simply because my kid has been home from school for 2 days now suffering this same fate...and that I, too, feel as though I am about to succumb...well, thinking about it, that probably is why I liked it ;-) You certainly do have a way with words. I'm not certain just anyone could write a poem about the flu...we should start a contest :-D The best flu poem contest!

*sigh* Unfortunately, I'm too ill to attend...

Thanks for sharing this with us (the poem, that is, not your germs) ;-)

[kublakhan27]

I'm sorry to hear that your kid is sick and that you may be on the verge Kim...'tis the season however x_x I'm glad you like it and that others like it (except for that one fellow below, whose critical skills hold no merit with me), though I'm gonna let you in on a little secret: my receding flu is only a metaphor against the backdrop of the main theme here...the flu motif is really the happiest aspect of this thing :P Mind you, I'm not the one to make a big deal of such a thing...I am happy with any interpretation I can conjure up with my work :D It's probably not my best but I'd like to go back to it in the near future...again, thank you for the compliments :)

[KAOlmsted]

Ha! I probably would have caught that if I weren't all hopped up on NyQuil ;-) And, you know, it is always my pleasure...

[kublakhan27]

Haha it's okay, nobody has yet, but like I said, that's okay...I just may need to write something sadder in the meantime :P

[KAOlmsted]

Well, give me an RR when you finish it... ;-p

[kublakhan27]

Oh you know I will ;D

[gombeggar]

the horrors of the coming storm of a cold...well done

[kublakhan27]

Thanks very much

[Ufi Auttorri ~ UfoAutho..]

The babble of the burning brain simmers with the seasoned snot and mucus-laden drippings of the season. How apropos that your lashes have forged an alliance with the vision-blurring secretions offered up as clarity of thought; toast this ghost when suppeth thy roast oh gentle beggar of weather-traveled ramble bramble. Let thy nose be content and gay in it's fair calling for that door closes when only the last guest has departed and reason's ration resumes its bold calling. You are a goat herder of no small mastery noble Khan!

[kublakhan27]

Wow, you're on top of your game tonight man, I can't believe how quickly you forged that assessment lol As always, thank you for your input and I'm happy I can produce such prolific responses :)

[Ufi Auttorri ~ UfoAuthor]

You make me smile, my friend. ...and babble some too. :o)

[kublakhan27]

Yes, but you babble exquisitely :) Glad I make you smile^^