Today

I do not write happy things.

Today I will.

Today I will breathe

ignore the sick feeling growing

in the back of my throat.

Today I will drink water

feel it burn the raw throat

I have. 

Today I will lie down

let this feeling of something

lie down with me.

Today I will be calm

and cool

and remember that it is okay

to quit

to stop

to breathe.

Breathe

Drink water

Lie down

Go through the motions like a ghost

Today I will be a ghost-like

creature on the wall

Calm and quiet and watching

Tomorrow I will be sick

Pneumonia or strep or maybe

the black death

but today

Today I will be happy.