Incessant sniffles don’t appear to be
a sign of Covid – they predate this year:
A symptom of old age, apparently,
as membranes dry and mucus tries to clear
reactive channels. Used to never sneeze,
I’m unaccustomed to cascades of snot.
I don’t think I have any allergies,
but something triggers tissue needs, a lot.

The left side of my neck is daily sore
(or maybe that’s a problem in my throat).
My shoulders lately bother me, and more –
I bruise from little taps. The antidote
is probably a second childhood,
but that’s impossible. I’m old for good.