When You're Sick (For Kids) Poem by Pleasant Dabbs

A poem when you're sick, for some day you will be
If you eat too much junk, or too much candy
If you're good ‘friend' next door, who just had the mumps
Shares his germs with you, and you get some lumps


If you break out in measles, and your skin turns all red
If you become sluggish and then jump into bed
If you're sick at home, because of dark spots
That speckle your face, and look like kumquats


If your temperature's high, and your nose is all runny
If your friend tells a joke, and you don't think it's funny
If you are coughing and sneezing, and you sniffle and moan
If you have a headache, and your toenail's ingrown


If you break out in sweat, because of a fever
If your tummy's upset, and you can't relieve her
If you wheezing and gasping because you are clogged
If your throat's like a rasp, and your voice is like a frog


If all these things happen, and your folks can't decide
Whether to keep you at home or let you go outside then
Outside you must go, when your health you've won
The fresh air feels good, and a run in the sun


Will help you feel better, and get the blood flowing
You'll soon feel much stronger; your eyes will be glowing
It would be lots better, to never get sick
I'd surely advise it, if you have your pick


But here is my plan, to help you stay well
Shout it from the rooftops and ring it with your bell:
"Eat all the right foods, good vegetables and fruit"
Get plenty of exercise, jog, play your flute!


Make sure that you sleep at least for eight hours
And then you must work hard, and next take a shower
You've got to be clean, Yes! That is a key
You must wash your hands, and I think you'll agree


That with a clean body, you'll get the most hugs
Take a bath every day to scour off the bugs
And then wash your hair, and in back of both ears
Scrub all of your nails, your face over here


And over there too, ‘cause that side is dirty
I don't like the grime, you have to look pretty
Now let me backtrack, review every step
To have a sound body, with zest and with pep:


Good food is the first thing, yes, you must eat well
And then lots of exercise, "inhale, exhale! "
It's good to go jogging; I think if you run
That you'll always stay well, and it's certainly fun!


Of rest you need plenty, eight hours of sleeping
Will bring back your zest, and keep the legs leaping
And then there's hard work, at school and at home
Do all your homework, your hair needs to be combed


The last thing is be clean, in body and mind
Do all of these things, and I think you will find
That you will be healthy, wealthy, and wise
You'll seldom get sick, so, please, take my advice!









caaron