the fever

you wake up in a strange room.
you are a child again.
there is a woman there.
with curlers in her hair,
the way your mother used to do.
she's sitting
up in a chair watching television,
holding a baby.
it's an old show, black and white.
people are laughing too hard
and too long.
the room smells of medicine,
a radiator clunks below a window.
you ask her where you are,
and she smiles, don't worry,
it's all a dream.
everything will be fine.
you'll feel better soon, your
fever is gone.
but i'm here if you need me.
go back to sleep. so you do.