Melissa O. Fuller

March 26, 2020 | 3:02 AM

The sudden or violent start of something
unwelcome
such as war, disease
disease
disease,
etc.
Said Oxford
as if Oxford was the name of a person
not an Ox

“Can animals get it too?”
she asks
“The virus?”
“Is it everywhere?”
Is it everywhere?
It is everywhere and
it is here

Sing Happy Birthday to wash your hands and
don’ttouchyourface and
don’ttouchyournose and
don’ttouchyoureyes and
don’ttouchyourmouth and
cover it with your shirt
But
“Mama it’s weird, they’re going to look at me funny”
though “funny” has become the norm
gloves, not the ones to stay warm
masks must be worn

Three can’t be company
if ten is the new crowd
cancel the party, the birthday too
graduation and prom
gatherings, concert with all the songs
for your safety, all of ours

Coughing be a crime
you cough, you do time
in the house
stay away from your spouse
and the children

Tell the story of the child
who ate from the mother
who got it from the father
yes, they all died
orphaned two sons
TB was the one
but it is no different
yet different
but all the same

Young, old
those in between
stay safe
take heed