Today is a good day.

Today is not a good day

Today is not a good day.
I woke up sick in bed.
My stomach has a stabbing pain
that’s spreading to my head.
My knees are weak and achy.
My eyes are full of flu.
I fear I may contaminate;
I have a fever too.
I cannot see.
I cannot breathe.
I cannot read or write.
My eyes are shut.
My nose is blocked.
I’m not a pretty sight.
I cannot lift a finger
or move a tired toe.
My throat is hot and scratchy.
The answer’s simply NO . . .
I cannot go to school today;
I’m awfully sorry too,
this had to happen on the day
my book report was due.
By Rebecca Kai Dotlich