Friday, May 02, 2014

Poetry Friday: Dengue Fever Edition

Googling "dengue fever" and "poem" produces a surprising number of hits.  Unfortunately, most of the poems aren't in English.  And most seem to have to do with preventing dengue rather than with suffering from it.  It's too late, in my case, for the prevention.





Yes, I am at home from work today, covered with an itchy rash that is a symptom of dengue fever.  At least it is a symptom that usually shows up late in the illness, signalling that I will feel better soon.

Writers and poets get dengue too, as this 2011 article comfortingly (?) points out.  And here is a poem written about dengue in Mississippi in 1873.

That's all I have for today.  Be sure to visit Katya's roundup here

10 comments:

Tabatha said...

I'm honored that you took the time to research dengue poems for us while you are recovering! I didn't really know what it was so I was just looking it up. Sounds hard to avoid and potentially scary. I hope you are able to get back on your feet soon. Hugs!

Liz Steinglass said...

Oh no! Feel better!

Tricia said...

Thanks for sharing such an interesting article and poem. I hope you're feeling better soon!

Linda B said...

Ruth, I hope you'll be over it soon. I looked it up, too, and hope your symptoms are mild. Can't believe you found a poem! Sending positive wishes!

GatheringBooks said...

Oh dear Ruth, I do hope you feel better soon. Dengue is also a huge problem here in Singapore.

Mary Lee said...

Yikes! Hope you are feeling better soon!

Violet N. said...

So sorry to hear this Ruth! You take care of yourself--as one of the esteemed community of writers and poets that has succumbed to dengue (the article you linked brought a smile--it was almost as if the writer felt that, really, writers and poets are a class apart and should be spared such ignominy! Well, of course they should :)

Matt Forrest Esenwine said...

Hope you're feeling better soon, Ruth!

Tara said...

Hope hat you are back to yourself, Ruth !

Michelle Heidenrich Barnes said...

I'm late to your post, Ruth. I hope that means you're already feeling much better!