Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Trading Symptoms


Headache says –
I’ll see your spasm and
raise you an ache.
Stomach throws down her cards
in disgust.

Lousy hand – she says.

Well – says Headache.
You had a good run.
Look.
You played:
            griping,
            esophageal spasms,
            throat thickening,
            reflux and
            constipation.

Yeah –she says –
And who knows?
Maybe I still have a trick or two
hiding in the pipes.

Headache cleared the pot.
I’ll take it while I can – he shrugged.
Stomach gurgled a salute
and nodded off.