allergies – Sarah Stoltzfus Allen

Half a Yellow Lemon and a Ginger Cup of Tea

I shouldn’t be at work today.
There are germs orbiting my aura
and I’m currently carrying an entire pharmacy in my handbag.

I have two diagnoses and my doctor asked
if I needed a work excuse.

I told her Tax Day is Monday
and that I don’t have time for strep or a sinus infection,
let alone this headache and achy muscles.

I left with a warning to wear a mask
and to stay away from people.

I’ve shut myself in my office,
closed the door and put a note on the window:
I’m infected. Stay away.

Which is why I was surprised by a quiet knock
about the time I would usually make a cup of tea.

The angel of a receptionist opened the door,
wearing her own mask, and held a pretty plate with
half a yellow lemon, a slice of buttered toast, and my ginger tea.

“I know you didn’t eat breakfast this morning,
and I figured the tea and lemon might help your throat.”

I raised my weary head as she placed it
on the edge of my desk and backed out,
leaving me to wonder what I ever did to deserve such kindness.

Dear March,

I spent the month of Love
coughing and spitting and praying
the weather would stop changing.

Every time it does (hot to cold, cold to hot),
my body decides to fill my sinuses with snot
and then tries everything in its power
to keep me from getting said snot out.

And I’m left to snort olbas oil up my nose,
prop myself up on cold meds, mouth breathe,
and take a covid test at least twice a week.

There were some bright spots:
my boys took care of me
and put all those ‘independent living’
lessons to good use,
the daffodils bloomed and then promptly shivered
in the rain and the snow,
I ate food that nourished as well as comforted me
and I didn’t worry about a single calorie.

I do worry we are being fooled by these early warm days
and a second winter will wrap
its icy claws around us when you come to call.

Is it global warming?
Does Mother Earth need to lay off the sauce?
Is it just par for the course in these changing days?
Whatever it is,
my sinuses need relief. So much relief.

So, if at all possible, could you get it together
and stick to gradually increasing the temperatures
instead of swinging wildly between winter and late spring?
Pretty please, you beautiful lionlamb?

Sincerely,
Sarah

Goldenrod and Ironweed

Why are you crying, my love?

She wiped her eyes,
sniffled her nose,
and lifted her gaze to the window
above the sink.

The goldenrod and ironweed are blooming,
she said, slipping her hands into soapy water.
The earth is settling her melancholy
deep into my bones,
unfurling her funeral flowers alongside
roads and in the low, wet places of the hills,
one last majestic sight
before fading into rust and gold.

One last burst of color to hold
during the long, bleak of winter.

That is the most poetic way I have ever heard
anyone describe their allergies, my love.