I have fever but I don’t let it run high
I take the medicine as soon as it starts to rise
This medicine leaves me with a bitter aftertaste
As the fever leaves me in a haste

I have the medicine this once , never had it before
Always had fever and let it soar
I miss the flaming body now
It feels more familiar than the bitter aftertaste somehow

So familiar, my mind feels guilty
Not seeing the body searing in pain
For pain would cleanse
Cleanse the toxins in my heart and not let it stain

Captain, O captain!
How will my heart be clean
When it won’t be flushed off of you
How will I function with you still in me?

So, I think to throw away the medicine and burn in pain
But the fever’s gone now and I have nothing to gain
It is just the bitter aftertaste that remains