You were the thrill of a childhood wrapped in sickness.
Months of endless childhood complaint
in which the hero and heroine captivated me and in which an adventure
was of my own undertaking.
A bout of Bronchitis, battled on one side like a punch bag
with its stuffing flowing out onto the cold gymnasium floor,
the victor raising his hands in mocking tones
high above my head and placing the sickly taste of camphor oil
on harsh felt pillow and scratchy woollen blankets and taunting me
with the knowledge that as I grew older I would not