snowbird migration time

I awoke from a dream about summer fun to feel cold air on my face

did we set the AC too low I wondered

then I realized it was not summer any more

deep into November and an icy blast was upon us

weather reports of wind chill warnings do not bring me joy

as I look out over the cold waters of the bay, my thoughts drift back to summer

did I really see dolphins jumping there a few months ago

are these really the same waters where we boat, fish and swim  

perhaps that was all a hibernation dream

maybe my body has been put into cryogenic suspension

will I ever wake up to see summer again

the sun is out now, bright blue skies are inviting me to step outside

I convince myself it cannot be that cold and open the door

I was so wrong, its like walking into a freezer

I take a few steps to the side of the house and I am in an arctic wind tunnel

millions of tiny ice daggers stab my face

my fingers are going numb as I rush back inside.

How can this waterfront home with poolside summer living be transformed into an arctic winter wasteland

who decided to cancel our mild winter

what happened to global warming

why is there ice on top of the pool cover

why am I stuck inside with no desire to walk on the beach or ride my bike

cabin fever morphs into igloo fever

single malts and warm cuddles with my bride keep me sane

put the gas fire on

baby it’s cold outside

we shall soon fly south for the winter

snowbird migration time

Its just a cold but they don’t believe you

it starts with a scratchy throat

then you start to ache all over

your throat gets really sore

your voice becomes raspy 

that dry cough is really annoying

next is the headache and sinus congestion

followed by a runny nose and a chesty cough

you spend a fortune on cold remedies that never work

you get worried that you have Covid

swab your nose in the drive through

the test comes back negative

but you still feel like crap

it seems to linger forever

its just a cold but in this Covid era

people treat you like a leper 

one sneeze can empty a store

a hacking cough sends people running 

pleas of “my covid test was negative’ go ignored

nobody wants to come within six feet of you

best to stay at home in self isolation

to stop the spread of your cold virus

and prevent all the Covid paranoia in public places

however this could increase the duration of your cold

because some say the only way to get rid of a cold

is to pass it along to somebody else