January 18, 2026

Coughed and hawked ferociously for quite a while after waking before managing to clear my throat. This is why God ordained I live alone. 

My sheet is freckled with little drops of blood. It must be from scratching, but that must be in sleep, for I have no recollection of it.

To church and home in bitter cold. I wear my coat for half an hour inside before I’ve warmed up. 

My neighbor sits on his porch even now, wrapped in a gray blanket.