Pneumonia

Kindergarten, a time when most children are still thinking about playing

But for the last half of this happy time, not I

For during this time, I would have my first real brush with death

I don't remember much about how it all began

But I was told when it was all over

That I lucky little boy to have lived

From what I've been told it started out with bronchitis

And from there it changed to "walking" pneumonia

I just knew I couldn't keep anything I ate down

But just when it looked like I was getting better

It became double pneumonia

Now both of my lungs were being held by this illness

I was hospitalized, for how long I do not know

Time past slowly for me, all I wanted to was get out of that bed

Even though I knew I was too weak to do so

But I was a stubborn child

So when some of the schoolwork I missed was brought to me

I immediately wanted to do it

I sat up to try to do it

But my I. V.'s would slightly move in my wrists

And that small pain was enough to convince me to hold off until I was well

Still I was a brave and proud child

The doctors and nurses marveled at my ability to take shots

And not flinch or cry at all

Soon I started to win this war

My body waged with this tiring disease

And I rejoiced the day I rose from that bed to go home

Much hasn't changed about me since then

I still have the same never give up attitude

That helped me beat that terrible illness

And to this day those doctors still speak

Of a child patient they had many years ago

Who could shame most grown adults with how well he took shots