I have a cold

I have a cold, am heaped
in viral misery, can't breathe,
suck hard at clotty air.
Avoid his mouth,
for fear of suffocation.

Fragmented nights,
revved from stertorous sleep,
rolled from his big hot hug,
I huddle on the edge,
wish I could swing a bell
and cry: Unclean!

Best not come near, I say -
I would infect you,
I'm contagious.

I'm taking a long time to shake this off.