It sometimes takes awhile to adjust
to change that’s catastrophic or severe.
I didn’t rate that quake – I walked and bused
until I heard the Series disappear.
Or how the signs of my old age have slammed me,
when teenagers I meet have sweetly ma’am’d me:
the glimpse the morning mirror now displays –
the image of my father’s wrinkled face.

And though we all have missed six holidays
and many birthday parties, I’m aware
that costumed outings in the evening air,
involving wearing masks, will not take place.
Coronavirus keeps on being mean
and now it robs the kids of Halloween.