Insomnia 1970 (Love In The Time Of Asthma)

I’m staring at the stars, dreaming
of becoming a philosopher.
“They sit on hills and watch all the planets”
I tell my parents, as they soothe my brow.
It’s just before the Mexico World Cup.
My asthma keeps me restless and awake
- at least, that’s what I recall.
I can’t take the burning in my lungs -
and the frustration. I have to accept
my brother’s regular breathing.
I count to 1000. Or, think I have.

Another time it’s Chinese New Year
when wakefulness and sleep become confused.
Is it the dope or Venezuelan beer?
I find out there was gunfire.
An attempted military coup –
we still go out for breakfast the next day
and I have my usual pabillon.
But my confusion brings back the coughing.