Lemon Zest Chicken Soup With Rice by Mercury Sunderland

lemon zest chicken soup with rice
boils & pops in the microwave
blow to cool
in an avatar: the last airbender ramen bowl

covid test
sits on the counter

wait no shorter than fifteen (15) minutes
but no longer than thirty (30)

drink rose tea with raw honey
in a bob’s burgers mug

i do what i can
to distract myself
from life’s problems

because getting sick wasn’t on the agenda for today
& i’m not looking forward
to how a day excused from work
creates problems with my rent

so i huddle on my bed
soft cushioning of
my little mermaid blanket
& cute plushies

to find warmth
in what i’ve already had
for so long

decorating the space
i spend a guilty day off
coughing & burning
in my personal space
that i work so hard to keep

lemon zest chicken soup with rice
boils & pops in the microwave
blow to cool
in an avatar: the last airbender ramen bowl

covid test
sits on the counter

wait.