Taylor Lake April 13, 2020

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not so great

As bulldozers dig large pits for mass burials

In New York City and surrounding areas

The surge of hospital admissions is leveling off

And the daily toll of virus deaths has stabilized.

These days this is what passes for good news

That it's not getting any worse than it is already 

Though of course the numbers are horrendous 

Even with so many not tested and not counted. 

Everyone knows what will happen next

The moment people resume living as before 

Mingling together in stores and workplaces 

Exposing millions and spreading the contagion.

And yet the alternative means mass starvation 

For so many out of work with no savings 

In this capitalist dog eat dog economy 

The hungry will have to take their chances. 

Why so many people are hoping for a quick end

To sheltering in place that is not sustainable 

Like living in the trenches of an earlier war

Waiting to go over the top into the field of fire.

These are the people who do the work 

That we depend on for our basic needs 

Paid meager wages just enough to get by

Faced with a desperate survival choice.

If you grew up hearing how lucky we are 

To live in the greatest country on earth 

Look around now at the difference elsewhere 

At places showing a more effective response.

With a health care system that is free to all

And so much guaranteed by a social safety net 

Where government serves ordinary people 

The virus is contained and under control. 

Those countries are going to leave us behind 

Mired in financial collapse and deep depression 

With the business tycoons raiding the treasury 

And imposing austerity on all social services here. 

Or maybe not if together we don’t put up with it

No longer allowing the rigged elections farce

Seizing power to take control over our lives

Creating a society designed for the benefit of all.

Kapok and Eagle Lake April 12, 2020

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reaching out

Some people don't want to live past ninety

My stepmother for instance 

Who has a birthday coming up 

Ruefully says she has lived too long.

A birthday card might not be well received

Unwelcome congratulations on surviving 

When she would rather not be here

Experiencing inexorable memory loss.

A younger person might not understand 

Thinking perhaps living long is a contest

You win if you outlast everyone else

Not realizing the lost feeling of those left behind.

She's not gone yet which is good for us

Who would like her to be around longer 

But she quit computer communications 

And dismantled her phone beyond repair. 

That's called sending a message

A different kind of cord cutting 

A complete estrangement closing in 

Though the post office still remains. 

I can make no argument against her choice

Nor do I think she would listen to me 

When the last remaining control is to say no 

We can only hope she finds a reason to live.

We all have reasons to be sad deep down 

But we can see the beauty that surrounds us 

Taking delight in everyday existence 

There for anyone to embrace and enjoy. 

We have our developing lives to share

That she could let become a part of hers

If we reach out and offer to include her

Spreading around some joie de vivre.