First Croak

When you answer the phone

and out comes a sound

that's a cross

between a sick frog

and a broken radio.

That's First Croak.

The first sound of the day

so startling

you wonder who came

to live in your throat

overnight.

First Croaoaoaoaok.

You start trying out

words to see how

they sound

in your new unvoice.

"Any cough-coughee left?"

"How the phlegm are you?

Sounds bad

but that's good.

Good day to call in sick.

Good day to

call your creditors,

say you can't make

it to the bank.

Call all the people

you've been avoiding.

They won't want to see you now either.

Call your grown children.

Hey, they could be so concerned

they actually come

visit you.

Never waste a good croak.

But hurry.

The First Croak

effect sometimes

goes away by noon.