It’s anecdotal – my experience
of how the world is doing around here.
I don’t have stats – I may not make good sense
but then again, the news airs pain and fear,
and government has lost the nation’s trust –
its agencies are jokes but no one laughs.
My pride in place is dulled, and toxic rust
is etching us with dire epitaphs.

From my perspective, no one caught a cold
the first pandemic year – no common flu
beset us while we put our lives on hold,
but now there’s wounds and illness breaking through.
Intestinal infections, broken backs –
the health of friends and family shows cracks.