In a world full of shutter flies,

I'm the queen bee.

If I could make the sound of cortisol
pumping through my veins,
it would sound like quarantine

Empty, but full of fear
Tired, but unable to stop moving
Alone, but surrounded by whispers

And here I am, stressed
about homework

Here I am
staring at pixelated people
and I want so desperately to see them
face to face.
My eyes ache from blue light.
Why are we even trying?

Ugh.

We are alone.
Isolated like islands
in a sea of disease
and fear.

But.

I called an elderly lady today
just to check in
since I can't see her
or listen to her talk
about doilies and dinners and memories

And.

I understood then --
alone does not mean apart
and distancing does not mean forgetting.
Yet I forgot.

So.

I'm not giving up
on the light of the summer
to chase away the winter blues
and diseases.

No matter what keeps us apart,
we are here
a safety net of helping hands and words
we are unity.