the dogs bark
you tell me to silence them

the birds sing
you tell me to silence them

the wind yowls
you tell me to silence it

the earth cries
you tell me to silence it

It's no longer
  picnic-time
  life has lost
its song and rhyme

it's no longer
kisses and hugs
'but stay away
this virus *****!'

it's no longer
the laughter of yesterday
but coughs and sneezes
the fever that won't go away

it's no longer
the hand-shake
chivalry would
be a lethal mistake

it's no longer
walking in the park
but locked-home
what dreadful luck!

it's no longer
the corner-street coffee
the town is dead
the air is eerie

it's no longer
jazz or opera
music-halls are empty
joys stand afar

all that is
you and I
in isolation
heaving our daily sigh.