Poetry Friday: The Vocabulary of Sickness

I've been sick with ickiness all week. Last night it broke, I think, and the attendant conversations prompted this poem (though I use the term loosely and with apologies to all true poets.)


The Vocabulary of Sickness 
by me

"Something broke
in my head,"
I said
to my family,
as I stared
into space.
"Oh, no!" they replied,
staring intently
at my vacant eyes.

"No! In a good way!" I clarified,
returning to firm ground
and shaking clear
the broken parts.
"The cold,
I mean,
or this flu,
or whatever this is,
is breaking.
That's what I meant.
When I said 'broke.'"

"Oooooh," they said,
breathing
a collective sigh
of loving relief. 
"Good." Nodding.
"That is good."

And later when
my children asked again,
"How do you feel, Mom?"
I said,
after a searching pause,
"I feel ...
as if
I might
feel better ...
tomorrow.
If
that
makes sense."

"It does!" said my oldest.
"I know just what you mean!"

"Yes!" said my middle, "yes, so do I!"

"Poor Mommy," said my youngest. 

And so it goes
with
everyday
sickness.
Broken.
Breaking.
Broke.
Better.
Maybe.
Tomorrow.

Poor Mommy is rich
in worried looks, 
tender sighs,
a soft pillow.

Tomorrow is here.

 ~~~~~

The Poetry Friday round up is at Live. Love. Explore!