#epidemic
Don't believe they've met
This family matinee
The kids come with guns
But it's the roll-on wife who's loaded
Beneath the rhythm and sound
There's a sign saying 'POLICE – INCIDENT'
Love may have the right to remain silent
Yet when it ends, it ends badly
Love motionless
At the bottom of
A backyard swimming pool
Now quietly referred to
As the crime scene
Jan 19, 2023
Jan 19, 2023 at 1:16 PM UTC
i was left alone
in the epidemic
All humans inside
Dystopian
I'm outside, seeing these horrible things
And i remember that i can't remember.
that I've probably forgotten
Where are my parents?
Where is my home?
No humans on sight, i think they're all dead
oh no, they're all inside it turns out,
I'm the one who's considered dead
Perhaps i am dead
because feeling alive is so distant and far away
And i can't remember.
Jul 25, 2020
Jul 25, 2020 at 4:12 PM UTC
yet another iffy coronavirus haiku #1
by michael r. burch
plagued by the Plague
i plague the goldfish
with my verse
yet another iffy coronavirus haiku #2
by michael r. burch
sunflowers
hang their heads
embarrassed by their coronas
I wrote this poem after having a sunflower arrangement delivered to my mother, who is in an assisted living center and can’t have visitors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
homework: yet another iffy coronavirus haiku #3
by Michael R. Burch
dim bulb overhead,
my silent companion:
still imitating the noonday sun?
yet another iffy coronavirus haiku #4
by Michael R. Burch
Spring fling—
children string flowers
into their face masks
New World Order (last in a series and perhaps of a species)
by Michael R. Burch
The days of the dandelions dawn ...
soon man will be gone:
fertilizer.
Epitaph for a Little Child Lost
by Michael R. Burch
I lived as best I could, and then I died.
Be careful where you step: the grave is wide.
Not Saying the World Revolves Around You, But...
by Michael R. Burch
The day’s eyes were blue
until you appeared
and they wept at your beauty.
Imperfect Perfection
by Michael R. Burch
You’re too perfect for words―
a problem for a poet.
Stormfront
by Michael R. Burch
Our distance is frightening:
a distance like the abyss between heaven and earth
interrupted by bizarre and terrible lightning.
Splintering
An unbending tree
breaks easily.
―Lao Tzu, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Autumn Conundrum
by Michael R. Burch
It's not that every leaf must finally fall,
it's just that we can never catch them all.
Laughter’s Cry
by Michael R. Burch
Because life is a mystery, we laugh
and do not know the half.
Because death is a mystery, we cry
when one is gone, our numbering thrown awry.
Childless
by Michael R. Burch
How can she bear her grief?
Mightier than Atlas, she shoulders the weight
of one fallen star.
Love Is Not Love
by Michael R. Burch
for Beth
Love is not love that never looked
within itself and questioned all,
curled up like a zygote in a ball,
throbbed, sobbed and shook.
(Or went on a binge at a nearby mall,
then would not cook.)
Love is not love that never winced,
then smiled, convinced
that soar’s the prerequisite of fall.
When all
its wounds and scars have been saline-rinsed,
where does Love find the wherewithal
to try again,
endeavor, when
all that it knows
is: O, because!
The Beat Goes On (and On and On and On ...)
by Michael R. Burch
Bored stiff by his board-stiff attempts
at “meter,” I crossly concluded
I’d use each iamb
in lieu of a lamb,
bedtimes when I’m under-quaaluded.
(Originally published by Grand Little Things)
The Folly of Wisdom
by Michael R. Burch
She is wise in the way that children are wise,
looking at me with such knowing, grave eyes
I must bend down to her to understand.
But she only smiles, and takes my hand.
We are walking somewhere that her feet know to go,
so I smile, and I follow ...
And the years are dark creatures concealed in bright leaves
that flutter above us, and what she believes―
I can almost remember―goes something like this:
the prince is a horned toad, awaiting her kiss.
She wiggles and giggles, and all will be well
if only we find him! The woodpecker’s knell
as he hammers the coffin of some dying tree
that once was a fortress to someone like me
rings wildly above us. Some things that we know
we are meant to forget. Life is a bloodletting, maple-syrup-slow.
Originally published by Romantics Quarterly
Keywords/Tags: haiku, epigram, epigrams, coronavirus, epidemic, pandemic, plague, mother, child, family, social distancing, life, death, numbers, numbering, mrbepi
May 16, 2020
May 16, 2020 at 2:09 AM UTC
Look closer...
the winding trail
is baked to perfection,
bearing the scars
of a caesarean section.
Only the snakes
dare travel along I-8,
one-by-one the seasons lie prone,
in heat this sun will castrate.
The burnt aspects on faces
don’t smile or frown,
they peer out as residue
to places perished in the wake of
a cityscape’s head trauma,
calling out to the heaven’s above
as they await her to rise
with wings from these ashes,
in anticipation for a day ne’er to draw nigh,
even the steady fall of acid rain
will fail to wash away such genocide.
A favorite haunt transmutes
into a ghost town,
burning into the ground
the heat seeps into the soul,
and the procession begins again
for whom the bell tolls.
Towers of steel melt
as popsicles on the pavement,
the sun’s punishment
is constantly transcendent,
the noise of sparks and hums
rattle the spine,
today’s forecast is a good chance
of saturnine.
Eerie colors at dawn
make for a spectral scenic view,
picnic lunch in the park
is categorically taboo,
the hunters of men
swoon in subjugation to this tyranny,
weather’s wrath was everyone’s destiny.
Live a little, die a little,
pretend it cannot happen,
but in the end we all windup
as peanut brittle...
Jun 1, 2020
Jun 1, 2020 at 7:09 PM UTC
Beneath the surface danger lurked
Invading forces stealthily worked
Causing panic and suffocation across the seas...
A criminal virus in disguise, amidst busy life
attacked the human race....
Life's at a halt, powerless and crippled
Rags or riches we're all left humbled
Restless are the minds of many apart
Dampened spirit in every heart....
Humans escape to their forests
Animals roam free in zest
Hungry and homeless are penniless
While economy's gone for a toss....
Corpses lie unclaimed, burnt and discarded
Grief and sorrow have hungrily overpowered
Hospitals, labs and the police are warrior bees
There are other saviors too working tirelessly
A vaccine they say is on it's way....
Loved ones are spending time together
Waiting patiently for the storm to weather
Peace on earth as in the garden of Eden
As we settle in our nests during this isolation....
Nature's joyfully healing, what a content feeling
Humans have joined their hands in prayers
They say God works in mysterious ways!
Scriptwriters see an opportunity
To reel the invisible entity
We'll get to relive the pandemic on screen
Hopefully dead and never to return....
An impending doom, who knew?
Time will decide a life anew!
©16/4/2020 Nisha/AryanAlisha
Apr 20, 2020
Apr 20, 2020 at 7:48 AM UTC
Genki desu,
I am fine,
self-isolation at home,
self-reflection,
self-relaxing moment,
read a poem,
write a poem,
bake a cake,
eat a slice,
time to heal,
time to help,
time to save,
you&I through this epidemic .
Apr 8, 2020
Apr 8, 2020 at 12:59 PM UTC
Ajab si khamoshi hai
Hawao me ek roshani chhae hai
Logo ko bade arso baad fursat mili apno ke bicha rehane ki kyun ki
Corona ne chaaro aur koharam machae hai
Loga ko aj smjha raha is musibat me daulata kaam na aae hai
Bs ghar se bahar na nikalo sarkar ki itni hi guhaae hai
Phir bhi kuch sadko pe ghuma rahe hai
Shayaad unko baat smjha na aae hai
Dusaro ko kyun jokhim me daal rahe **
Waise hi itni badi aafat china ne laae hai
Doctor desh sb to lada rahe hai
Ab hume bhi saath mila kar ladani ye ladae hai
Swastha rahe ghar pe rahe.
Mar 31, 2020
Mar 31, 2020 at 11:08 AM UTC
Let all the warm sunlight in
and the new day to begin
for the night has now been cast
with our sorrows so to last
in those days lying ahead
that many will only dread
this modern epidemic
which is now a pandemic.
And that long finger of scorn
now points to where it was born
at a country that's growing
much too rapidly knowing
as it tries to beat the rest
in its own ambitious quest
to become a world leader
instead became a *******
It has happened twice before
on this ancient country's shore
where a bad virus outbreak
by carelessness did so make
with a disastrous effect
for not being circumspect
doing the right thing but caught
and this virus to us brought.
The world is now on its knees
for a new vaccine that frees
man from the deadly disease
that's also spreading with ease
as all the casualties grow
and daily statistics show
called the corona virus
which is out to destroy us.
Unless a vaccine is found
to an early grave we're bound
the fate of most of mankind
a result of being blind;
too much pride and ambition
causing this sad condition
and man's own dire end to be
as foretold in prophesy.
_______________
Mar 30, 2020
Mar 30, 2020 at 2:08 AM UTC
It started with a cough,
a thousand little teardrops
hung about the air...
then one fell upon another
and the story doesn't end
there...
For a cough fell upon another,
and another didn't wash his hands.
Then one became more until
a city was on lockdown..
But the world isn't big when we
can descend upon the many lands.
But manners some do not have
to cover there mouth to wash
now ***** hands..
So now the world is coughing
finding it hard to breath.
But some never took another
and now there friends and family
weep..
So we have a choice, to stay in.
to keep ourselves safe.
but not only us, but the
department of health
and others don't you see.
Who are we fighting for,
not just you and me.
For the elderly and those of
ill health.
For we must be vigilant.
Yes we may get cabin fever,
but its better than being
dead, don't you see..
Mar 25, 2020
Mar 25, 2020 at 6:49 PM UTC
Dear diary;
this world is
falling to pieces-
I can see it on my screen
and I can hear it outside
my window.
Mar 23, 2020
Mar 23, 2020 at 8:34 AM UTC
Crazy COVID-19 has us all in a tizzy
Too much information making all of us dizzy
Most who’ve been exposed self-quarantine
Running out of toilet paper making us mean
“Social distancing” is the phrase du jour
Scientists now scrambling to find the cure
Hurry!
(Chorus)
COVID-19 apolitical
Proper testing so critical
Slow response hypocritical
Naysayers hypercritical
Division and strife
Don’t take my life
Give it back!
What started out in China as an epidemic
No respecter of nations totally pandemic
All around the world countries shutting down
Even New York City looks like a ghost town
Is there no end to this viral mess
As our way of life’s forced to evanesce?
Scary!
(Chorus)
COVID-19 apolitical
Proper testing so critical
Slow response hypocritical
Naysayers hypercritical
Division and strife
Don’t take my life
Give it back!
© 2020 by Mark Toney. All rights reserved.
Mar 17, 2020
Mar 17, 2020 at 11:41 PM UTC
i can't meet my own family
have to stay inside among a
room of blinds and strangers
isolated from my close ones
it is the worst day of my life
no other chance no other light
ridiculously lonely fights
gimme some space and a new face
painful memories in the making
there's no time for aching
no catchy phrases no money
i'll be dead soon right before noon
covid-19 is a strong breed
and it needs me as his feed
got no time left for crying
my dears i will be dying
Mar 17, 2020
Mar 17, 2020 at 2:43 PM UTC
Just dying
An epidemic is needed
That humanity
Stop each other
Destruction
And
Learn to love.
Mar 14, 2020
Mar 14, 2020 at 8:33 AM UTC
I love you so much
that I would share my toilet
paper with you, babe
10:50 PM
12/3/20
Mar 12, 2020
Mar 12, 2020 at 7:51 AM UTC
We live in
troubled times,
where leaders fail
and pandemics prevail.
Mass hysteria is
the only game in town-
society's going down
because we cannot hear,
and we cannot think
over the turmoil
spreading across
our soil.
Mar 12, 2020
Mar 12, 2020 at 7:46 AM UTC
dimensions of all mentalities seems to be on hold
the blindness that has succumbed the nation is epidemic
will a cure exist while we still have time to breathe
will the orange fog triumph in the end
will the dimensions ever see normal perceptions again
Brian Hill - 2020 # 42
Feb 11, 2020
Feb 11, 2020 at 10:09 AM UTC
She doesn't wear sunglasses
to be hot or cool
She doesn't wear them
as a fashion statement
She doesn't even wear them
while in the throes of mysteria
She simply wears them
to hide the bruises
Feb 19, 2020
Feb 19, 2020 at 12:52 PM UTC
There's an apology written in the snow
'I'm sorry about last night. Can I see you again?'
Her wordless exhalation causing the glass to fog
In nearly the same way as her thoughts
About last night
Second date
First ****
Dec 30, 2019
Dec 30, 2019 at 12:35 PM UTC
I am the poet
I have been whispering obscurities in dark corners for many years now
And I like it that way
I am dark and brooding
Obscure and abstract
And I like it that way
I am the craftsman
Allowing language to consume me
And I like it that way
I am impervious to permanence
And tire of fence sitting
And I like it that way
I am living the rhythm of symbolism so as to
Pawn it as wisdom
And I like it that way
I am the tactician step, step, stepping through
Through the abstract and on to you
And I like it that way
Having found that symbolism rhythm
I am weaning my way off words
Having found my addiction
And now feeling the friction
My addiction isn’t to words though
It’s to whispers
Through the journey from abstraction
And into the rhythm of this reality is
Where I consumed all of it
I even drank down the first person
With a perspective shift and a lime twist for garnish
Now it’s time to inspire
Let's put on our costumes because
Reconciling truths
Aggravates liars
And I like it that way
Oct 24, 2019
Oct 24, 2019 at 9:01 PM UTC
I just watched a news report
that infections of ebola virus
are spreading out from
the Democratic Republic of Congo;
1700 people have died
in the last year of infections;
I saw a man lying sickly
in a quarantined hospital bed
suffering from vomiting and diarrhea
mourning his dead wife, sister, brother,
all lost to ebola in recent days.
I wonder
how does the world protect us all
from ebola?
Fortunately, there is a vaccine
which makes people immune to ebola,
but there is only enough vaccine
to vaccinate thousands of people
when hundreds of millions are in danger.
I wonder
when and how will the world produce enough vaccine
to vaccinate all the millions in danger
from ebola?
Jul 22, 2019
Jul 22, 2019 at 1:19 AM UTC
What’s wrong with the Big Pharma?
Controlling governments
Ruthlessly consolidate
The elite
Who are able to afford
Basic health care.
Severe side effects
Detrimental to our health and wellbeing.
Taking painkillers
Has caused an epidemic
That’s part of a sinister plan
To squeeze yet more profit
Out of a system designed to
Keep human beings chronically unhealthy.
Vaccines too often have had the opposite effect,
Exponentially increasing illness,
Causing irreversible damage,
And even taking lives of our sick brotherhood.
Population suspect that it is now
Being used as a weapon of mass destruction
To effectively depopulate the earth.
Mar 27, 2019
Mar 27, 2019 at 8:50 AM UTC
A needle pushed through skin
Extracting life from veins
Another one is gone too soon
No longer fun and games
The word gets out, the posts are made
"I saw you just last week"
A family mourns a broken soul
A person so unique
What happened to their little girl?
Her eyes sparkled in the sun
Replaced by an empty, lifeless gaze
In the end, the darkness won
They clothed her in a long sleeve dress
To hide the markings on her arms
Around her bony, pale white wrist
Her favorite bracelet, dangling charms
They lower her into the ground
The grieving is far from done
And in the time it takes to blink
Somewhere, evil steals another one
Feb 15, 2019
Feb 15, 2019 at 4:55 PM UTC
You never see my pain
behind the cold rain
I hide them all the same
A so called ******
I don’t choose to schizophrenic
it’s God’s epidemic
when the cave man called to the divine
when he spoke to the trees
as gods when he believed
did you think the ones who didn’t believe
tormented him yes they probably did
but without looking outside our shell
we can’t see heaven or hell
and if you don’t look science as well.
Jun 14, 2018
Jun 14, 2018 at 2:54 PM UTC