"I'm freaking out!"

All I know is this
She went on holiday fit
And came home ill.

Not your common cold
Oh no!
Something more exotic
Picked up from a BRIC country

What do you expect?
I said
If you must go to Brazil.
Better stick to Brecon
At least you know the bugs are homebred.

What happens?
A week in bed
Two doctors, one a specialist,
Three paracetamols daily
And a Tramadol!

“Get up!” I said
“Get over it.
Get in the garden and do some digging.”

“Oh no!” she said sniffling.

I never did think holidays
A good idea.
And told her so.


(Inspired by Carol Ann Duffy’s poem from Mrs Tiresias )