When I was 12 I got sick
The kind of sick you don't understand yet
An itch in the throat
A cough or two

When I was 15 I got sicker
The kind of sick you try to ignore
A stuffy nose
A hoarse voice

When I was 18 I got sicker
The kind of sick you hope a good nights sleep will fix
A stinging headache
A couple of aches

When I was 19 I got sicker
The kind of sick where you take your medicine and pray for it to pass
A high fever
A flushed face

I am 21 and I am still sick
The kind of sick I don't understand
A fretful dizziness
A doubtful voice

When I am 40 I will still be sick
The kind of sick you hope is not contagious
My son will come home with an itch in his throat
And I won't know how to save him