Photo by Haus of Zeros on Unsplash

Man Who Lost His Sense of Smell

Battling Corona with a twist of lime – Poem

What began at the gym
wrestling iron strapping resistance
pushing to break limits
one more rep maxed out
massive pumps.
when asked do you have muscle soreness or body aches,
response naturally yes.
shortness of Breath?
Yes…just got back from the gym.

You must go home
quarantine
seek medical attention
get tested.

Negative

Fuck it, I’m going out
trying the grouper fry
better than cod, haddock,
walleye, perch
maybe up there with sliced bread
until passing the descending curve
rumble goes the left flank
running and running
hours passing by
all fluids escaping.
Do you have a sore throat?
Headache?
Yes…possible dehydration.

You must go home
quarantine
seek medical attention
get tested.

Negative

Spores at alarming numbers
crawl space dusting bilateral nares
frontal congestion maxillary drain
Sneezing commence
Coughing air quality poor
a shit spike in temp
ten and two
All that’s lacking chill baby chill
Do you have any cough or congestion?
Fever or nausea?
Yes…my allergies are kicking my butt.

You must go home
quarantine
seek medical attention
get tested.

Negative

Poor fellow
arriving for the third time
testing twice with cranial scrape
thrice merely nose picker for fifteen
after losing the sense of smell
as every morning
smelling his favorite Sapphire
blue bottle giving off sans odor
this time for sure he thought
off to the races checking again
Testing negative a forth
only to find his daughter
watering down his fifth.

Joseph Lieungh