Medicated Fever Dream

FEATURE | DRUGS Written by Hirimaia Eketone (they/them) | @hiri_music | Contributing Writer

awaken to the piercing bees 

a steady rhythm to keep you sane 

death scrapes your skin as you shiver 

shaking through dreams of uncertain victors

strapped down by nothing more than the haze

you peer hopelessly through the pō as the stars vibrate

cool to the touch, no lesser than breathing

tongue tied, mouth dry, awake

Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangtia te angitū

eliminate the negative, accentuate the positive 

the grass feels scratchy, your ngakau heavy 

falling through a rabbit hole Alice couldn’t navigate 

he iti e hoa stay hidden, cautious 

nestled into your arm like a crutch 

the clouds above shimmer with the essence of rā 

your feet start to walk amongst 

a crowd of contenders, joyfully sidelined 

breath foggy as you lead through the room 

broken hallways tipping, littered in whetū

Papatūānuku smiling down from above

“Hey, it’s time for your morning meds. I’m just going to check your vitals, anything I can get you?”

The bees aren’t buzzing. My iv lays forlorn, a whisker away from an uneven tempo. 

Alice wakes from her slumber in wonderland, I question why she ever left.

I shake my head and tip my head back.