Goodie Pua

I couldn’t dress you,

The way you wanted to shine.

I couldn’t touch you,

I couldn’t do your hair up fine.

We spoke of death and love,

Before you were taken away,

I really did all I could;

But oxygen blew you away.

You were my only Father!

Of all in the family, beloved you!

You’re left now, with all the rest,

My home, my childhood, my truth.

Day 13

It’s day 13
Since covid came to make love
I feared how I’d come to
April 15 without thinking of a year ago
But concerns of
O2 sats dropping below 90
A 104 fever, the paramour I found
Springing up at 4 hourly intervals
Keeping me heated
And forgetful,
Like your new love,
Puts physical needles in veins.

IV tubes hang from curtain rods,
Oxygen machines pant
Deliberately.
123 123 breathe
123 123 breathe
Like sex he no longer allows.

Important doctors say,
Admit yourself.
Very few say,
“Stay home.
It’s the best place
if you are rejected from the BMC.”
Remdesivir is ambrosia!
Hospitals are the mount Olympuses holding it!

Then there are higher beings,
Kings and sages,
Queens and seers,
Long white beards,
Long white sarees,
Waiting for larger kingdoms,
With carnivals on river banks.

The state of the art medical condition
Is so astounding,
So magnanimous,
My fear so revolting,
My horror so engrossing,
That the first breakup anniversary
Passed
In me preventing my new lover from calling the shots.

Mom shivers,
Bua quivers,
Sister, lover, kids,
Three doctors
One nurse
deliver…

After all, come morning
I will have in my mind
Different shots
And thoughts of
Paracetamols,
Antibiotics,
Decongestants
Fabiflus,
And corticosteroids.