“Daddio in Quarantine” by Joseph Hebert
A fatherly pharmacist
Saw me scream and writhe and wince
When I caught a glimpse of the needle’s glimmer—
Pinned by nurses and doctors and mom—
Jabbed, rain down my eyes,
Do you remember?
I don’t glance at the needle this time,
Just my dad, scared. His face
Is covered along with his hands,
Plastic and cloth hide his skin.
But his hands are
Shaking and—I used to be quite
Scared of these—my voice
Surprises me.
I remember, he says
As he stabs me
And I don’t feel anything.
Biographical Note: Joseph Hebert is a second-year student at the University of Mississippi in Oxford studying English Literature and Political Science. He is an avid believer in the power of literature and hopes to eventually pursue a career in Academia. In his free time, he enjoys skating around campus, exploring nature, and consuming stories in all forms.