the placebo effect

Anodyne

No longer ill with the fog
of a coming winter's cold rain.
Kidneys clean of the damp wind
sting of diuretic vitamin swell.
Fever's sweat broken by degrees
and passed into the ether of evaporation.
Red sun of flush skin surrendered
for the pale glow of a new moon.
The shutter and shake of chill
quieted by the static of sound asleep.
The anodyne of your arms around me
beneath the twill and throw of cotton.