PANDEMIC HAIKU

(3 LINES: 5 SYLLABLES, 7 SYLLABLES, 5 SYLLABLES – 17 SYLLABLES IN ALL)

Pandemic strangeness
Many no-mask wearing fools
What does science say?

We must change our ways
It is so inconvenient
A huge adjustment

Listen carefully
Experts share and tell us how
Follow the advice

Are finances first?
Money flows over new deaths
Economy lives

Look at the numbers
Evidence blinded leaders
Bring on tragedy

Business reopens
Hospitals crowded again
Mortuary full

Guilty men go free
Cronyism prevails
Justice lost its way

Watch behind the scenes
Pandemic is diversion
No more rule of law

Justice Department
Quickly disintegrated
No one cares right now

Maskless leader speaks
Insults Asian reporter
Rudely walks away

Still there’s the virus
Covid testing is chaos
Need to test and trace

Now children’s virus
Oh no, please, not the children
Don’t reopen school

Must protect children
Life’s more important than school
Let’s improve zoom class

Pregnant women dream
Pandemic births provide hope
Be strong, little ones

Grandmas blow kisses
Young and old try to survive
No grandpas hugging

Craving a true touch
Saddened by social distance
But know I am blessed

I’m food secure
My shelter is comfortable
Family can visit

Family’s sequestered
We quarantine so strictly
We can socialize

How can I complain?
Have many creature comforts
I am fortunate

But I miss my friends
Sad loss of ‘in-person’ time
Zoom – only ok

Facetime’s really good
But virtual hugs aren’t great
I want real hugs

We must persevere
With time, vaccine will arrive
Tenacity wins

Diane Brunson living in Palos Verdes, CA