To the New Year

I would like to wish everybody a happy holiday season, and a wonderful New Year.  I would like to end the year on a cheery note.  I would like to celebrate the lengthening days and a resurgence of hope.  But right now, I’m a bit under the weather.

My eyes are runny, my nose is red

I can scarcely breathe when prone in bed

This West Coast cold

Now six days old

Leaves an ache that was my head.