Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house
I was hacking and sneezing and coughing lungs out.
The children were nestled all snug in the beds,
Still I was awake and feeling half dead.
And ma in her kerchief and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a Nyquil-induced nap.
When out of my head there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
?Away to the mirror I flew like a flash,
Said ?Ahhhh? with a tongue the color of ash,
And what in my thundering sinuses appeared,
But nasal fluids green rather than clear.
And as pressure built and pain grew,
I knew in a moment it must be the flu.
With apologies to?Clement C. Moore and the squeamish among you.