Bad cold dawning

Like somebody put

tapioca pudding or maybe

hard candy

right in my eye sockets

oozing down my sinus cavities

to hulk

in

my

throat

Or maybe somebody shoved a golf ball into the back of my throat and then

UP

to live behind my nose

my skin

as if someone has peeled

back

the outer, calloused layer

exposing new skin underneath that

shrinks away

from any touch

It hurts to breathe

it’s 9 o’clock.

I’m going to bed