health – Paul Andrew Sneddon

Timescale

Bed rest.Doctors orders. I’m 46. I’m on a timescale.I’ve got stuff to do. I get up and walk to the kitchen.Come back.30 minutes to recover. Fuck’s sake. I’m listening to Otis Gibbs.Stories of Townes and Guy. Window open.It was sunny 30 minutes ago.Now it’s raining. The ache in my chestreminds me of something.That slipped myContinue reading “Timescale”

Christmas Flu

Everyone in my house had the Christmas Flu last year. It’s cold outside, minus three,but my temperature’s busting the mercury,flu at Christmas, what’s the chances,no mistletoe and no dances. Family is on the way, turn the car around,feel like I’m six feet underground.I’d love to see you,but I’d have to leave you. Duvet and hotContinue reading “Christmas Flu”

Lungs

I woke up one night; I couldn’t breathe.Taste of blood in my mouth, my lung clawing out.I opened the thin windows, tried to jam my face through it.Blue inhaler.Red inhaler.Round and round. I was gasping, sweating. Give me oxygen.Give me life. I felt like a fish on the pier floor:Desperate,gasping,dying. I opened the back doors.TheContinue reading “Lungs”

The Old Chair

Lying awake in bed before my alarm.Thinking of the day. Got to get up.Got to get going.The floor cold beneath my feet.I sat down at the table.The surface cold to my touch. The old wooden chair — one of the most basic you can buy.Zero percent comfort. I had intended to buy a more comfortable chair — maybe oneContinue reading “The Old Chair”