When bird flu first arrived in Western news,
I recollect extreme anxiety.
A house ago, I entertained the views
of dire damage to humanity.
And maybe living through that episode,
embracing impotence and lack of fact,
is what prepared me, when the Covid rode
us hard, to keep my peace of mind intact.

Likewise, when now a panic holds in sway
some friends and relatives and clients, too,
I’m disinclined to join. I felt that way
eight years ago. I ran the fear, it’s true,
but learned to focus kindly, locally,
and strive to catch what wisdom’s there for me.