backforthmenu Living. My tongue feels like it has been used as the arch support in the shoe of an old walking salesman. Crushed, gristly and soaked with sweat. The taste buds sway back and forth like seaweed in a acidic tidepool. I went to the doctor. Proud of myself—I never go to the doctor. Got antibiotics after she prodded my head with various chrome tools and listened to my lungs. She tells me the antibiotics won’t work if I have a viral infection, and, that I may have just that. “Well, how do I get rid of a viral infection?” “You don’t. It goes away in a few days. You’ll live.” 11/17/95