There’s a thing that feeds
On the lively breeze
Of your yawn and sneeze.
A mere breath won’t do,
And nor will two
Or three or slews
Of gulps and gasps
Or rips and rasps
Of coughs and laughs.
No, this beast drowns
On shallow rounds
Of breathing sounds.
It needs the best
Deep in your chest!
A breath with zest!
So it sneaks with pepper,
Boring stories, feathers,
Bits of colds and other measures
To get you spawning
Sneezes, yawning,
It goes conning
Life from out
Your crumbful mouth.
Listen for the quiet shout –
“Bless you,” hear it,
For it will mean it
Though you’ll never see it.
The world fills holes
With hidden souls
That eat from oddest bowls.