To a Telephone Operator Who Has a Bad Cold

How hoarse and husky in my ear

Your usually cheerful chirrup:

You have an awful cold, my dear—

Try aspirin or bronchial syrup.

When I put in a call to-day

Compassion stirred my humane blood red

To hear you faintly, sadly, say

The number: Burray Hill dide hudred!

I felt (I say) quick sympathy

To hear you croak in the receiver—

Will you be sorry too for me

A month hence, when I have hay fever?