In the Spring of the Year
the pace of life
has paused
to preserve its future
not without sorrow
or sacrifice
not even the dead
can die properly
as loved ones grieve
in isolation
there aren’t enough beds
for the sick
for the dying
for the surgeries
planned
or unplanned
nursing home patients
have no hand to hold
already helpless as is
over-crowded prisons
on lockdown
pose health problems
inside and out
homeless on the street
hold up
new cardboard signs
as restaurants they sit near
close
sanitation workers are strung out
this is no Spring cleaning
doctors and nurses
have tears in their eyes
knowing what they know
the military and law enforcement
keep a watchful eye
each day
different
as journalists report the hard facts
the necessities of life
in short supply
production ramped up
world-wide
nobody sleeps
but children
as numbers rise
and fall
maps in the red
more than your own life
at stake
sacrifices great
and small
known and unknown
put in perspective
what is essential
what is non-essential
in times of crisis
humanity is tested
at the core
TL