Playing Nurse

I.
I move the ice
down
her skin, seething
jungle heat.
Shouldn't her skin sizzle
at contact? After all
the fever...
But no, it just melts
slowly,
the North Pacific waters
mixing with Amazon heat.

II.
Can I hold you?
I'm so scared.
Silly, it's just the flu.
Yes, but the germs,
they're all inside you.
Still, you were always
the only one of us to take your
shoe and smash insects,
until nothing was left but
sole decor.

III.
Where's the thermometer?
I know you don't like the taste,
swallow it anyway.
No, you'll just throw up anything
solid.
Are you warm enough?
Close, your eyes baby.
Sleep in the only prescription
I have to give.