Viral

I dream I'm walking through the house
eyes closed because I can't open them
I negotiate the table, feel the newel post
under my hand then wake, I'm on the sofa
draped with throws, a dressing gown
lips fired dry, skin flushed fever red
and morning telly says viral illness up
by 40 percent, no shit, I'm hanging on
to hot lemon, pastilles, cups of tea.
And it's like the end of a love affair,
eyes rimmed red and brimming tears, nose
chafed, sleepwalking through the days
just giving in and getting over it.