ER lady
Telling me
“You ain’t sick enough”
“You ain’t been to China”
“Just self-quarantine”
Was to 8 international airports
In ten days
Spiked a fever
Had trouble breathing
Coughing around the clock
For five straight days
Department of Health Lady
Telling me
“Just monitor your symptoms”
“Go to the E.R. if distressed”
“Drink water, get rest”
Don’t test me
I’m ‘Merician
Got bad insurance
And no friends
In high places
Ain’t no COVID-19
Here or here or here
‘Cause no testing goin’ on
Ain’t nothing to see
We ‘Mericans have nothing
To fear but foreigners
And them their flu
Don’t test me
I’m ‘Merican
I got God on my side
And the world
In my back pocket!
John David Higham 