Sick day

I'm sick today,
don't feel like doing a thing,
I just want to sleep
until this headache goes.

Mum has cooked the rice,
cut up the sweet fruit,
Dad tucked the throat pills
and cold medicine in the drawer.

There's a new baby at home
who smiles all day long,
kisses her uncle's cheek:
get better soon, uncle!

Deadlines piled in a heap,
plans still half done,
my sick-leave request
keeps the boss up at night.

Since I'm sick today
I'm allowed to be weak;
if you held me tight
I'd be well again right away.

Only, I don't know yet where you are.

---

Phong, 9 November 2022
First published in Vietnamese on Phong is writing. English translation for this site.