When you were at your worst you drew my blood
Then, sensitive as a lamb did return
To lick the very wounds that you did shape.
For that did I linger, your supplicant.
You filled me when it suited you; each time
Was I left wanting and unsatisfied.
And for the beacon of hope too far off
Did I repeatedly return, prostrate.
In your presence did I forget myself
And in the glass my form returned a lie.
No likeness liked but liked the wanting still
Until with bored and carefree glance did you
Make real what was reflected all the while.

I have to confess
I ain’t sleeping too well
Maybe its best that
I leave for a spell
I won’t tell you
I’m just as blind,
Just as lost as
You are kind
Worth the cost
And when we meet
you can start at my feet.

In a ward overcrowded
Patients confounded left distressed
While overworked essentials crave rest
But the best they can do is a guess
Smiles of comfort not even seen through the screen of PPE
And machines that help them rest
As they take their last ventilated
Breath.

A big gentle man
Cracks on with his plan just
To survive as any man can
In a hotbed pandemic
Hatred endemic for his kind
Devalued in life and in death
He is stopped blind
Takes his last suffocated
Breath

A pleading young mother
Kids scream at each other
It’s all too much for dad
It’s a rage and he’s had
A few and that’s not the least
Can’t get away from the beast
She covers her bruises
Picks up her youngest
And
Hopes she can get through the worst
Hot blood on the cold knife
Sweet murdered wife takes her last
Breath

Stagnant Suffocating confinement
The unrelenting walls closing in-
Hale, exhale; Zoom yoga and baking dough
Obliged to show forget the death
For a brief moment you
Took away my
Breath.

If I had a potion to rid the world
Of this grave pestilence, happy would I
Be to freely share my draught.

If I had a notion to rid the world
Of its grim ignorance, eager would I
Be to freely share my draft.

An apple and I can go on till dinner
A kiss and I yearn to the core for another
Prompting one more still
And while I do not dwell on details of that apple
The kiss leaves me wanting

Memory doesn’t record the time just the moment
And although it has been forever and a day
I can recall the moment any time
And smile as I stare back at you
And move toward you until we dance together recklessly
Before it is time to stop
And return to life
But at least we have the moment -

Words can be misconstrued
When they aren’t said but viewed
Slight offerings that are not meant to slight  
You need to know I’m doing alright
But I hear you are lowly.
Don’t worry, we can take it slowly