You know

I’ve been insouciant as anything

Waiting out this virus

Until I coughed

Like I did last night

Just as I was falling asleep

A dry cough

And I sat up in bed with my heart skittering

The way it does when someone sneaks up behind

And touches your shoulder

Or you are suddenly startled

Out of a dream.

It seems that I only think I am

Calm in the face of chaos

But all it takes is one cough

To set me right.