I have a new rule: 

I can indulge in social media when I’m sick  

So sick I relish the association between sick and social. Social and sick  

Two things that sometimes make my stomach churn hard 

Linked.  

In.  

My.  

Brain. 

 

That association will be useful when I’m feeling stronger 

It will remind me to stay away 

Sick is social and social is sick 

It will help me 

When I need less integration 

More imagination 

More objectivity 

Less objectification 

More nature-gazing 

And meditating 

Less influence 

Less persuasion 

Less selfies 

Less ego 

Less 

 

But I’m sick 

Virus or food poisoning; it’s unclear 

For a short time I need homogenization 

And holograms 

I need an interference pattern 

To confuse my brain 

To transition me back to the land of the living 

So I’ll browse a few posts 

And half-heartedly check notifications 

Try to feel connection 

When I’m isolated by ill 

Banished by fever 

Feeling lonely 

(which only happens rarely) 

I could use a nurse 

A mother-figure 

Some nurturing love 

The kind I haven’t had for at least a decade 

 

It’s a sweltering early October 

Full sun and 98 degrees outside 

Hot and cold strikes hard inside 

I can’t do anything 

Except lay on the couch 

Stomach churning with distaste 

That rice might not stay down 

And I have to take the dog out 

He hasn’t been on a real walk for three long days 

Today is his fake birthday 

(his real one is uncertain) 

The day he was adopted three years ago 

It was supposed to be happy 

We were going to go to the three dog bakery 

For fancy overpriced treats 

For wags 

And smiles 

And praise 

For what a sweet, handsome fellow he is 

(he really is) 

Instead I’m on the coach apologizing to him 

Crying 

And thinking about my first dog 

The one I lost 5 Octobers ago 

The one I still miss 

And still apologize to 

For not being perfect 

 

Social media is a so-so substitute; 

What I really need is 

Saltines and ice 

And someone to  

Run to the pharmacy 

Make me iced jasmine tea

(unsweet, of course) 

Toss me a fashion magazine for distraction 

Take out my dog 

So I can avoid the torturous Tennessee sun 

Somebody to tell me  

in a few days I’ll be alright 

And the weather will be cooler 

More like fall 

Less like hell