Haemophilus influenzae

You snuck in on little cat feet
Quietly poking at my feet, my back, the knuckles of my hands
With a warm-hot poker
I'm not sure what's going on

I thought you went away
But no
You came back with a vengence
Sitting down on my chest
Crushing my skull
Sucking the moisture from my eyes
I'm so damn tired

It hurts to laugh

Ok I'll entertain you for a while
But it doesn't mean you can stay

I make the room wet with steam
from the boiling pot
I chop fresh ginger root
and lemons
I rub oil of lavender, rosemary, cilanto, and olive
Into my skin
I drink gallons of tea
and fresh water

I hear what you have to tell me
But now I think it's time for you
to tap dance
on down the road