Yesterday, a wild turkey spread his glorious crown
To catch a female’s fancy
She walked away, indifferent

I called to the turkey
Stop twirling and follow her
But it was through the glass
And he did not hear

That was morning, a small diversion
Before the long empty day
In the time of Virus

Our farewells are, “Stay Safe”
Six feet apart has replaced arm in arm
In the time of Virus

Hellos through glass
A mask, no smile visible
Gone are our conversation cues
In the time of Virus

Daily temperatures, emails, zoom
TV, reading, walking the rooms
Relentless news, relentless tragedy
In the time of Virus

Reality is Virtual, face-time visits
Virtual exercise, virtual study
In the time of Virus

Despair is not Virtual
Each day a struggle to balance
Meaningful routines, companionless,
Against creeping assaults of loneliness
In the time of Virus

The turkey twirls round and round
Dressed in full and colorful plumage
I go round and round, dressed for the day
A privileged elder
In the time of Virus

The hungry, the unemployed, and the sick
Helpers, underequipped and courageous
A sorrowful world outside my window
And here, in solitude, I have only blessings
To utter, to change the world
In the time of Virus