Hay Fever

Hay Fever

Eyes on fire,

nose at war,

sneezing like I’ve never sneezed before

windows closed

still it finds me

hiding in curtains, under the bed

no flowers here

no grass, no tree,

just me,

and in misery.

I hate it,

every dusted bloom

every floating bit of doom.

give me rain

or give me snow.

anything but this pollen show.

my throat’s a scratch

my skin feels tight,

I’ve taken pills.

I’ve lost the fight.

My sheets washed twice

house scrubbed clean,

still I wheeze

still I scream.

I don’t call this peace,

I don’t call it kind

it claws at skin,

it fogs the mind.