Snow hats

This morning it seems everything got the same memo:  Wear your snow hat.  I am reminded of high school:  What are you wearing?  I am even reminded of clergy gatherings: Are you going to wear your collar?  This morning the memo was:  Wear your snow hat.

Before venturing out

I note everything this morning

Wears a snow hat:

The bushes

The sidewalk

The umbrella fountain

Turned planter

In the back yard,

Even the purple dog

Next to the elderberry.

Everything has at least one thing

In common.

This morning

Everything wears

A snow hat.

A cold that refuses to be called Common

Sometimes an illness claims a life of its own.

Yes this counts

As an end of summer

Cold.

It has me dragging around,

Hoping that a hot shower

Will make a dent.

Yes this counts.

This cold has me by the throat

And nose.

This cold says

I have blamed

Mere allergies

Too long.

Call me by my given name

It says,

Accuracy is paramount.

I am not a simple spell

Of allergies.

I will not be called

“Common.”

I am your End of Summer Cold.

Hot showers be damned.