Four Seasons

winter was harsh withholding affection

spring withdrew for her own protection

summer bloomed with her selection

autumn slipped in without detection

(c)2020 by Catherine Elder

Today pandemic world

self isolate

stay in place

wear a mask

on your face

work from home

if you work at all

get on zoom

or take a call

kids stay in

get home school

madness reigns

now who’s the fool

download lessons

follow the plan

homework mess

no one’s a fan

nothing else to do

so people protest

the mask the distance

hard to digest

nurses risk their life

appreciate health care

salute their efforts

still not fair

seniors lay dying

in long term beds

we ignored it before

now we shake our heads

send in the military

and what they find

we haven’t done right

now we need to mind

businesses are closing

they can’t survive

no clientele

streets not alive

to connect

everything online

personal touch

is an emoji sign

people grow afraid

and show their fear

they start to hate

then they don’t hear

domestic violence

is on the rise

depression and drinking

and someone cries

police power play

in the news

racist and mean

light the fuse

bullies and prejudice

beat and oppress

till someone can’t breathe

in their distress

blame the government

blame all the cops

blame the monuments

pull out all the stops

feed the anger

kindle the fear

their’s no room to hug

distance adhere

things need to change

we have no doubt

we can close the door

lock it all out

or open our hearts

listen to what we hear

care for each other

calm our fears

let hope in

nurture with kindness

be good to each other

try open mindness

we have something to offer

look out for each other

share empathic smiles

we’re sisters and brothers

how are you doing

I’m just fine

do you need anything

I don’t mind

I’m going to the store

going to stand in line

well please keep safe

and be kind

(c)2020 Catherine Elder