Burned

Sunday afternoon
is horrible
the sun is shining
friends are calling
but with your ADHD
lesson plans take a long time
and you're two weeks behind on grading
and of yeah
you have three test administrator training modules to do      

you have housework to finish too             
you're trying to do it quickly
steam is billowing 
from your new electric kettle
a cup of ginger tea
will be soothing

mind on anything
but the present moment
you reach for an upper cupboard
too close to the billowing steam
and your arm
feels like it's been shot

you turn on kitchen sink's cold water tap
dunk your arm under it
for ...what?
thirty seconds?
it helps a little
but it hurts!

oh well
boo hoo
life is painful
get back to work

a few hours later
go to CVS
talk to the pharmacist
buy cooling hydrocortisone gel
it helps a little
maybe take some Advil?

the next day
a bubble starts to form
soon
it's like a yellow Man-O-War on your arm
it's unspeakably disgusting
it wobbles!
Ewww!
you wear long sleeves to work
ignore the repulsive wet feeling
when it pops while you're tutoring after school (you need the extra money)


Four days later
go to the health clinic at your school
staff can go free
Thursdays 12:30 to 3:30

You receive a care sheet
for second degree burns
some gauze and tape
and the assurance
that yes
it likely will leave a permanent scar
you have enough scars
one more is too much

oh well
life hurts
boo hoo

Get back to work