Pandemic Children

“Momma, can I have a…”
“I’m running late, honey.
Maybe tonight.”

“Daddy can we go to…”
“Maybe when I come visit this week-end.”

Daily door shut.
Daily silence.

Daily stay-at-home confinement

“Charlie, can I hold you tight?”
Woof Woof, Woof Woof.

How goes it?
So goes it.
Video games before lunch.
Finger painting

around three.
Cartoons run into supper.
Bologna and spam on mayo spread toast.
Little Wonder Bread meatballs for Charlie.
Flip on the cop shows…solitary.

The day behind me.
Clocks tick.
Faucets drip.
Toilet keeps running.

Fire escape peep hole adventures.
NR rated neighborhood stories.
Red lights come on.
Spoke-wheeled SUVs glitter through their turf.
Dudes sportin’ funny fur coats on hot summer nights.
Ice pick heels clickin’ city-slave songs.
Beer bottle hail storms.
Shard-sparkling drifts in gutter’s once flowing.
Just another day.
Just another night.

But…

Covid 19 never sleeps

Grandma saunters in,
Complains of 3-flight routine,
“Bannister’s loose,” she says,
“Careful, or gonna break your butt one day,” I says.

“You makin’ fun?” She says.

“No, grandma just thinkin sad thoughts.
“C’mer, child,” she says. “You okay?”

Grandma’s eyes are palm trees and sunsets,
Tree huts and swimmin’ holes,
Wooded trails with Charlie a-runnin’,
Love without rules,
Love without boundaries.

Love surviving the virus.

“Can I have a hug, Grandma?

Can I?”