rough draft

Marie was here to visit a little while ago, and during the whole visit I had this nagging cough that would not go away and sometimes got frighteningly severe. Today she sent me this.

the coughing fit shakes you
then you sit, doubled over
breathing painfully,
shallowly.
trying to stop the next spasm

the coughing fit shakes you
then you crouch, doubled over
breathing carefully,
shallowly,
braced for more pain

the coughing fit shakes you
then you lie, curling double
mouth open
silent
frightened to breathe