Poetry

Double Pneumonia by Mark Tulin

“You give me fever when you kiss me. Fever when you hold me tight.”  –Peggy Lee

You give me 
double pneumonia. 
Your memory kisses the lips 
that turn white,
that have no compassion, 
that seals my suffering fate.

You take the color from my face, 
make my temperature rise. 
You turn the joy of life 
into a sickness,
into a hacking cough,
a pauper’s demise.

From your lethal beauty, 
to the X-rays of your eyes, 
you steal my breath, 
my silver and gold, 
and my healthy state of mind.

First published in Literary Yard.

I am an author, poet, humorist, and short story writer from Palm Springs, California. I write about various topics, from my early childhood in Philadelphia to my years as a family therapist and finally to my soul-searching in California. These are poetic narratives that may have humorous or serious content or both. Either way, I hope my poetry and stories resonate with you.

19 comments on “Double Pneumonia by Mark Tulin

  1. What happens when you’ve got it bad . . .

  2. Pretty powerful description here! It certainly conveys a lot of emotion… It would be hard to read this and not feel the immediate punch in your gut. Very well written!

  3. Not many people write odes to disease, cool! Very effective poem.
    I’ve had pneumonia, and am in no hurry to do it again.

  4. Yes, fever is not always a good thing.

  5. Ajibola Sunday

    Wonderfully written, more ink to your pen.

  6. dessertflower5

    Smartly written. Loved the language

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