Cheesy

I miss cheese.

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The Cheddar and American,

Havarti-dill and Brie,

Mozzerella, Provolone,

They are all bad for me.

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I really miss the Gouda,

Especially when smoked,

I even long for Parmesan,

Not my fave but now revoked.

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I can handle other dairy,

Of the sour fermented kind,

The kefir and the yogurt,

With my system are aligned.

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One would think it's just the lactose,

But there also is the whey,

That leads to sniffly noses,

Which I try to keep at bay.

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It used to be that sheep milk,

Or goat would suit me fine,

But lately that is not the case,

So on them I won't dine.

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I had not quite yet noticed,

How much cheese I eat each day,

Until I had the stomach flu,

Some virus in the fray.

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In any case I've noticed,

That butter is all right,

And yogurt, kefir, spiced or not,

Don't keep me up all night.

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Poet's note: I've been aware of a mild dairy allergy since about 1993, when I was tested for it, but it seemed to be mostly in abeyance and I could manage small amounts or most dairy foods every day unless there was something else going on. Most years around the first of the year I would think wow, I sure ate a lot of dairy this holiday season, and I would stop for a while.

But I'm 53, and my system seems more ah... complicated these days.

I miss cheese. I'm sure I'll miss other dairy-heavy holiday treats and comfort foods, like cream of mushroom soup or fudge or even pizza.

But they're not worth feeling awful every day.