Category Archives: POETRY

Already forgotten bell curves

overcome by spikes and pikes

carrying virus loads

up the nose.

No more waves

of predictability

nor general systems theories

of how things go.

if there are rules of pandemic,

they are rules lost in the mystery,

lost to a history

passed by and past off

by those who scoff

their vulnerability.

Roller coaster rides and pandemics

take away my breath.

Sudden falls after steep climbs

drop my stomach to my toes.

Harsh and sudden turns of phrase

bring fear of death

around each unexpected curve.

One does not mind a five minute ride,

hands held high on final descent;

with a grudging stop and final flop.

The ride softly ends as riders depart.

Unsteady feet steady once more

ready to explore the carousel, and bumper cars,

cotton candy and games of chance.

A three year ride is way too scary

and leaves us wary

of how, if at all, it will end.

With a bang or a whimper?

Or, a sullen long simmer, fall after fall

along rails beginning to wear ?

The ride must continue until all are loaded

with a vaccination, or two, or three;

maybe, more even than four.

The tickets were free,

but too many refused to take a shot

at ending the ride on time.

More climbs, more falls, more curves

until we are all sick to death or dying.