Yes. I came down with a nasty head cold last Friday. It began, for me, in the tell-tale ways with a scratchy throat later culminating in a roaring, fatigue-laden waiting room of discomfort.
Oh, I’ll survive. In truth, I’m grateful for the way that I’ve been able to enjoy physical health this past year. If we can manage our maladies, our illnesses can be insightful to us when we experience aches and pains. Our physical (and otherwise) ailments can reveal what we often take for granted.
I was reminded of this the other day when a track from an album by Western North Carolina native, David Wilcox, came through my speakers. The singer-songwriter had apparently waxed philosophical at a concert that was being recorded some years ago. His soliloquy, while accompanied by acoustic guitar, was neither song nor monologue exactly. It was more like poetry. It’s featured on his album, “East Asheville Hardware.” I’m including it here.
https://youtube/jDWS7pP4Lck
Cold by David Wilcox
You ever wonder why you get a cold?
Look at the word. Spell it: C-Old.
See old? You’re pulled over by the reaper for a warning.
He says, “I caught you thinking 80. You know you’re not that old. You’ve been worried about the darkness in the morning.”
“Well, I’ll give you something to worry about,” he says.
Flips open his ticket pad, “Appreciate your breathing. I’m going to write you up a headache for those thoughts.”
“Now why have you been so worried, man? What have you been reading? And why do you have to tally all you’ve lost?”
“I’m going to write you up a head cold. It comes on like bad weather, so maybe you’ll appreciate the warning. See, it gives a new perspective. Soon you’ll be feeling better. I’ll let you off this time with a warning.
He says but, “Take it easy, alright? People live around here.”
“You won’t see them in time. What I’m trying to say is, you’ll miss them.”