Chinese Apothecary

A flu-inspired cough, I languish in a hospital
waiting for an x-ray.Wellness formulas,
honey-lemon lozenges,and self-devised solutions
bring no relief.
Dr. Young, physician prescribes Hydrocod-Homatr
to no avail.

Auntie Florida advises Chinese medicine.
I wander the International District
to dim-sum and chow-mein aromas.
Herb and medicinal stores nest
among the tenements and restaurants.
Ginger and ginseng glut interiors
along with cardboard cartons full with dried
mushrooms and mangoes, transparent
bottles, lotus seeds and hong zao.

An ancient Manchu's slender-finger
motions me toward a Chinese pharmacist
who points to shelves of Asian magic.

"You need Loquat.  All loquat."


I seek restored Qi.
Settle for a box decorated with
hanzi, sampan, steam locomotive
and two elderly herbalists.
Surely, it is contained within.