Sniffle

It doesn't take much
of the wearing off
of winter
to attract the yellow dust
that haunts the nose
like pepper
and creates a sniffle,
a tickle,
and then
a sneeze.

Despite the distraction
in my sinuses,
I am waiting
with a smile
for the eruption
of apple blossoms,
birch leaves,
and the bluets and dandelions
that already populate
the greening
of my thirsty
gardens.