dreaming of ice cream

am i in

the doghouse with God

for my

many transgressions?

(although many are completely

explainable)

yes, i have sinned,

thus 

the prairie

fire on the back of my

throat

that won't quit.

i've pulled the alarm

and wait for help.

i douse the inflamed skin

with cold water,

with NyQuil,

Dayquil,

hot teas,

and ice chips.

a handful of Tylenol

gets tossed

in. i gargle

a shaker of salt

in a glass of water.

my stomach now

has the salinity

of the Dead Sea,

but it still burns.

i find myself on my

knees,

praying,

making vows that will be

impossible to keep,

but hoping for an

end to this.

it's time for ice cream.