Body Wars (Poetry)

Red alert — defend the borders
from infiltrators — press
the panic button — follow orders —
swallow pills — undress —
take cover in dark duvet caves
lie low as fevers stress —
thoughts swarm among the restless waves —
seek out unconsciousness.

The body wars — a bloodless fight
each skirmish hot with sweat
goes back and forth all breathless night —
the battle fierce and wet —
the enemy a faceless mob
a virus blindly set
on conquering by pitch and lob —
infectious missiles jet.

Retreat — invaders put to rout
their numbers well out-gunned
by armies sent to force them out —
exhausted — beaten — stunned —
and with the dawn a turnabout —
a drowsy welcome calm
the worst is done — there is no doubt
or cause now for alarm.

The landscape of the body lies
at peace within itself —
the power balance rectified —
troops packed upon the shelf
like pill box allies ranked along —
ranged tall in strength and stealth
and mobilized to right all wrongs —
restoring perfect health.