Talk to Your Doctor

There was a family drowning
in summer light, laughing. Their dog
ran circles around himself
against the backdrop of their smiles.

Side effects may include:
Upset stomach, nausea
constipation, migraine, lethargy,
fever, and dry mouth

There was a driver one mile from
forever. Eternity opened up and kissed him
on the lips. The red and orange leaves cascaded
around his windshield. He looked like everything
all at once.

Side effects may include:
Nightmares, anxiety, shaking,
tremors, feelings of inadequacy,
a body full of hopeless,
and sensitivity to everything.

There was a woman on a mountain, bathing
in snow. She spun under each flake
arms stretched out like the horizon.

Side effects may include:
forgetting the names of those you loved
forgetting where you placed their tombstones
forgetting when you felt human
forgetting how to say your own name.

I am buried underneath
the blankets, fever dripping
from my forehead — the light
from the television
keeping me awake.