We Are Afraid for Each Other - Poem

 

 

Lawrence Hall

Mhall46184@aol.com

https://hellopoetry.com/lawrence-hall/

poeticdrivel.blogspot.com

 

We Are Afraid for Each Other

 

We do not wear our masks against car keys

Or coffee cups or clocks or coins or books

Nor yet again in fear of paper clips

Or pocketknives or fountain pens or socks

 

We do not wear our masks against the sun

Or moon or stars or air or trees or flowers

Nor yet again in fear of autumn leaves

Or gentle rain or evening mist or dreams

 

We wear our masks because we are afraid

Of being humans, of loving each other

 

NB: This is NOT a plea for unmasking. The fear is of hurting others. Wear your mask. Wearing a mask protects others. Wearing a mask is love. It’s not about you; it’s about protecting MeeMaw.

Just Wear the Stupid Mask, Okay?

Lawrence Hall
mhall46184@aol.com
poeticdrivel.blogspot.com

Just Wear the Stupid Mask, Okay?

Tiresome, didactic doggerel, but it’s important tiresome, didactic doggerel

Just wear the stupid mask, okay?
Yeah, yeah, we know you’re not afraid
Of any ol’ virus that comes your way
(Says your cousin the almost-nurses’ aide)

And someone on the GossipNet
He said that some doctor somewhere
Said Studies Show (oh, yeah, you bet) 1
That masks let through all sorts of air

Yeah, stud, you’ll take that virus down
Ground it with just one wrestling toss
And run its tentacles out of town:
You’ll show that bug just who is boss!

But

Your Granny’s still weak after surgery
And Uncle’s always short of breath
And children – you wouldn’t want, you see
To let your ego cause a baby’s death



1 Because, like, you know, Studies Show, and who are we to argue with such a reliable source as Studies Show?