I’m Sick Today
by L. Stewart Marsden
Today I didn’t feel so well —
My throat was very sore;
And Mama took my temp’rature
And stroked my hair some more;
Then measured out my medicine
Into a silver spoon,
With “down the hatch” she smiled at me,
And then she softly crooned …
“I love my girl, my pretty lass,
Who doesn’t feel so well,
You know I would — if I could —
Ring loud the healing bell!
“And up you’d jump and sing straight out,
‘My gosh! I’m ME again!’
And dance and play and laugh and shout
Until the long day’s end.”
But, sad to say, I’m sick today,
All nestled in the bed,
And I will sleep the day away
And rest my fev’rish head;
And dream wild dreams of Faerie lands —
Of castles, kings and queens;
Then of the prince who’ll take my hand
And fly to lands unseen . . .
Where he and I will rule with care
The lowly and the proud;
And when a subject isn’t well
We’ll ring the bell aloud!
And all’ll jump up and sing straight out
“Oh gosh! We’re US again!”
And dance and play and laugh and shout
Until the long day’s end.
Until the long day’s end.
Copyright by Lawrence S. Marsden, 12 August, 2015
Great poem. Especially enjoyed after being sick for two days.
There was a spate of time I did everything I could to stay at home. Mom would rub my chest with Vicks Vaporub, cover it with a tissue, and turn on a heating lamp, which would warm the area.
Of course, if I was faking, the treatment was superfluous. But, when I was really sick — with head cold and cough — it did the trick.
Glad you’re on the mend.
Another one of fantastic poems in the classic/traditional “Poems Teachers Ask For” vein. I love it, Skip.
It’s one of my top five favorites, too. And, the kid is sick again today!
Hey: What are the other four?
The Bone-pickers is one, and If You Could another. These are the top 5 of what I’ve written.
No! Hope it’s nothing.