Masked
Every day feels like swimming through quicksand...
Swift, decisive, decisions are now official demands,
Trying to dig our way out-fighting for air through a sieve,
As people in the streets scream "I can't breathe-"
A young and single woman, mother to three,
Marches so one day her babies might be free,
A raised fist held high from a famous athlete,
Closes his eyes as he bends to take the knee,
Curious little girls and intrepid young boys,
Stare blankly out of windows missing the noise,
Of friends riding bikes, and the ice cream truck,
"Is this really summer? Boy does it suck..."
The economy is worse than bad, believe me we get it,
When we think about plans for the future, but don't really expect it,
As I stare at the declining line on my bank warning,
I think of all those in the ICU, and those who are mourning,
Masks at the door alongside hooks with our keys,
As we "mask check" each other, offer a silent prayer "Please,"
"Please let the people see how we work to fight this off,
To protect each other from this most dreaded cough..."
Washing hands is now more than just going through the motions
It has become a way of life, an artform, how we show true devotion,
When I protect you, and you protect me,
We are ruled not by fear, but are joined in unity,
We all have been told we must wash our hands,
To protect one another and stop the spread in the land,
We have been warned about keeping our physical distance,
It is a lot, but don't allow the virus its' best chance,
We know working from home and closures helped so much,
But people are flocking to old patterns using "lonely" as a crutch,
None of it's fair, I do not need to be convinced,
But why, oh why, friends, do you trash good evidence?
We do our diligence for you, hoping to save lives,
Popular or not, this virus is not civilized,
But I still pray every day that you will do the same,
I will "don my mask and cape" before "thoughts and feelings" take another name.
The government's "response" to the global pandemic, outrageous,
Racism and prejudice are just as contagious,
The economic downturn has exposed more cracks in the wall,
And yet we act like we don't see it all?
You bought The American Dream, but you'd never valet,
As you drive through the night, refuse to smell the decay,
Of the bones of the slaves who could look just like you,
The free thinkers and speakers already rearview,
The architecture trembles then tumbles as rubble remains,
And they call it a park for colored kids, just change it's white name,
Some hoops with a chain net in need of repair,
Using a sharp rock for chalk to draw an uneven four-square,
We are one team, united in the land where we live,
Ignorance and foolishness we must forgive,
When we teach one another more difficult things,
Like the pain, shame, and battles negligence brings,
But also the reasons for hope, the reasons for sorrow,
The very reasons why we must wake up tomorrow,
Put on our mask, refusing to yield,
Smiling a promise underneath every face shield.
Prepare, don't panic,
-Allison
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