When your back is broke and your eyes are blurred.
And your shin-bones knock and your tongue is furred,
And your tonsils squeak and your hair gets dry,
And you’re doggone sure that you’re going to die,
But you’re skeered you won’t and afraid you will,
Just drag to bed and have your chill;
And pray the Lord to see you through
For you’ve got the Flu, boy,You’ve got the Flu.
When your toes curl up and your belt goes flat,
And you’re twice as mean as a Thomas cat,
And life is a long and dismal curse,
And your food all tastes like a hard-boiled hearse,
When your lattice aches and your head’s abuzz
And nothing is as it ever was,
Here are my sad regrets to you,
You’ve got the Flu, boy,You’ve got the Flu.
What is it like, this Spanish Flu?
Ask me, brother, for I’ve been through,
It is by Misery out of Despair,
It pulls your teeth and curls your hair,
It thins your blood and brays your bones
And fills your craw with moans and groans,
And sometimes, maybe, you get well —
Some call it Flu — I call it hell!
This poem is from Slams of Life by J.P McEvoy illustrated by Frank White; P. F. Volland Company, Chicago, USA; 1919; p. 67. via Elfinspell.
Humor me. This flu is sticking around since New Years Eve.
Take care Perpetua and cheer up 🙂
Cold and flu is a sad state of affair.
Major bummer Perpetua! It’s in the news every night but so far so good in my house, knock wood. Hope you feel better soon – loved your cartoon 🙂
Yah, bummer! Keep and remain healthy, Tina. The cartoon is a shot of magazine at the clinic,
Hope you are feeling better soon! I’ve also been a little under the weather recently, so you have my full sympathy.
Soon is not soon enough. Hope you manage to get better.
Sorry you are sick…and for such a long time. Is it the flu? Get well…NOW!
Me too and so many others.
I loved your post about the flu, but I didn’t love the fact you’ve been sick since New Year’s .. Please take care and return to good health.
Take care my dear and happy blogging to ya…(when you’re better that is.) ❤
Isn’t that funny especially this was written in early days. No change from Spanish flu to h3n2….
Wishing you a speedy recovery Miss P – I fear “Sir Flu” is knocking on my door as I write 😦
Jo, don,t open the door, hang garlic or onions to ward off this evil that plagues us.
Too late, Donald answered the door and the flu jumped all over him – the only thing worse than the flu, is the man flu 😦
Oh nooooo…😱
I call it hell, too! Are you well? It’s very cold this morning here…
Hi Amy, far from being healthy. Keep warm.
So sorry to hear that. I wondered about you… Get a good rest this weekend. Maybe mix some ginger/honey to drink.
Sorry to hear that Perpetua. Get well soon. ❤
Thank you, Sarah.
Are things improving?
No more headache, fever and achy body. Just tired and the cough is still there. This is a bad string of flu, thanks for asking, Sarah.
Glad you’re getting better. I hope it clears soon. X