Sit up in bed on a grey morning;
quietly, be with your breathing;
focus your attention on a particular spot
at the back of your throat, and wait.
Notice when the smallest of tickles
manifests there – from nothing –
and starts to grow rapidly into a bigger tickle.
Observe in wonder how your coughing reflex takes over,
how in a moment you are hacking and spluttering,
your body wracking itself in convulsive movements.
You are catapulted into a different state of mind.
If you are fortunate, phlegm is catapulted into your mouth,
and may be spat out on to a piece of bog roll.
Your body is still, peace returns;
sit quietly with your breathing,
focussing on the back of your throat, waiting…