The moment you feel a sore throat scratch
When you cough once or twice from the irritation
The possibility occurs as an uninvited thought
Is this the start of the infection symptoms?
No one knows who will survive the pandemic
As we learn how to get through one day at a time
Anticipating the entire population suffering so much
It's best to get your affairs in order if you can.
What we see in Italy and now in Spain
Foreshadows what to expect here
Hospitals forced to triage who will get treated
Unable to attempt to save everyone.
If you are quarantined with no visitors allowed
There will be no bedside touching goodbye
No last chance to make right any wrongs
No gathering afterwards to mark your passing.
In these uncertain times we are all at risk
Some more vulnerable than others
But anyone's number could be called
So tell the people you love that you love them.
There are months to go before the worst is over
To be followed by years of terrible deprivation
Out of work and living in desperate poverty
With people of color bearing the brunt of it.
In the face of such an awful prospect
People turn to each other for comfort and strength
Ready to do whatever it takes to make it better
Open to radical measures to change the priorities.
But first we must live to see that day
With a government that has betrayed us
Loyal to the stock market first and foremost
Leaving us to pay the price for their for profit system.
