i ate a piece of garlic
like it was medicine
like it was magic

hoping that the chemicals
inside the piece of produce
would course away through my veins

to burn off the mucous in my head

though i feel that i'm thinking clearly
i am distracted from
the action by the symptoms of
a lingering cold

then i wonder if the coffee i'm chasing it with
will break down the action of the garlic before it
can find my blood

but the smell on my pores reminds me that this thought
is not at all likely
but maybe instead of helping me get better

this bit of garlic just makes me stink