Caught Cold

Awoke with a throat like gravel in streams,

as if the night had stolen my dreams.

Empty tissue box, the only friend near,

as I traced every ache, every tremble of fear.

A friend cancels plans, I sink into walls,

watching the sunlight dance as it falls.

Fragile as glass, I feel every cough,

like a ghost hovering, just waiting to scoff.

The seasons remind me how quick they can change,

this cold grips my chest, feels oddly estranged.

But still, there’s a softness in suffering slow,

a moment to linger, to be, to just know.