“Dear David” [by Herb Engelhardt]

So sorry
And sympathetic
To your influenza siege
Each time I get a sniffle, I hear
        Death at my door
Some day it will be there
In the meantime, as the incorrigible
        sybarite I am proud to be
I look forward to more red wine
        exotic foods and good company 
Which reminds me I haven't seen
        you in many months

— Herb Engelhardt