My Head Cold

My head cold waits at my bedroom windowsill 

Tells me: 

‘No, you can’t do your homework. Lie back down and quit thinking so much.’ 

Tells me: 

‘No, you can’t go to sleep yet. Get up. You've got things to worry about.' 

My head cold visits me at school

Eyes the ceiling

Tells me:

'The lights up there are too hot for me. Close your eyes so I can get some rest.'

My head cold steers me home on winter days

Drives down the sidewalk along the river

Tells me:

‘I was born down there. Did you know?’

Tells me:

‘I’m gonna live in you till I get down there again.’

I take my head cold out on the roof sometimes.

Let him breathe a little.

Tells me:

‘I remember when you were just a little baby.’

Tells me:

‘You’re big and strong now.

You’re big and strong.’