perhaps a virus
does the itching forecast healing
and the diminishment of pain?
or is it only revealing
its likelihood to come again?
shingles is a naughty disease
and is not easy to predict.
it has nothing but miseries;
not one of which we would have picked.
it may last the rest of our days
or finish in a week or two.
sometimes it goes and sometimes stays
or comes again like bad colds do.
viruses often act like this.
i suppose that’s what shingles is.

Walt Abbott–4-10-2009