POETRY
I miss the simple things
But life is no longer as simple…
The handshake is approaching extinction
The hug is endangered
The smile is now measured out in peeks
We are closer in grief
United in fear and loss
But we cannot console ourselves
To survive as a society
We must be physically apart
The former eccentricities
Are the new normal
6 feet apart
Is better than 6 feet under
Muffled speech
Is better
Than the dumbness of a corpse
Wash your hands
Sanitize all surfaces
We have all become ninjas
Caution the Katana
To slay the enemy’s progression
Now we have to see beauty
In a whole new light
The world has changed
But the change
Is more a return to simplicity
The eyes will have to speak more
Reflecting our smiles or pain
Listening is no longer an art
It is by default
We are apart
But we are more united
We will beat this
You and I
And rejoice collectively
With a bow, with wave
With a twinkle in the eye
While soberly,
Physically, cautiously distanced
I miss the simple days
But I am grateful
For the days we still have
Caution may not be comfortable
But being able to see loved ones again
Makes up for every discomfort,
Makes these the best of days
(Poem by Femi Onakanren)