I got my second shot, but she did not –
they took one look and her and said “Not now.”
Her eyes were swollen shut, her skin was hot;
her doctor doesn’t know the why or how.

A client died of Covid – he seemed well
until he wasn’t. Doctors couldn’t block
the dread cascade of organ failure hell
(he wasn’t old or ill – we’re still in shock).

My children’s dad has problems with his heart
that brought an ambulance, some tests, a scan,
and soon the surgeon’s knife. He’s still a part
of family – we care about the man.

But topping all the news of pain and death,
we celebrate a baby drawing breath.