to touch is to risk death
to breathe unfettered is
irresponsible
don’t stand so close to me
because if you do
one of us
or someone else
might die before their time
so let’s live
in fear
or maybe in the hope
that this too will pass
and one day we can hug
and see smiles
and hear laughs
and sing loudly
and irresponsibly

and it’s all so serious
and it really is
and the times are trying
and desperate
and depressing
and stressful
and unsettling
and so serious

so light the candles
for breakfast
and have a bowl of fruit loops
because there is joy
in the freedom of
just being a goober
so embrace those moments
that take you by surprise
and smile at the loveliness
because now
is what we have

copyright 2020, joseph e bird