House Arrest 10 (Ballade)

Posted on March 27, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

I wonder how our days will be
when we emerge from dread.
Will stores reopen suddenly,
or stutter back instead?
Will commerce face-to-face be dead
with no return of queue?
Will everyone need shot or med
when we defeat the flu?

Expecting we’ll in weeks be free
to exit couch or bed,
it’s probable sagacity
won’t own sufficient cred.
We didn’t heed what scholars said
although their words were true.
I hope we won’t be rumor-led
when we defeat the flu.

A future like dark fantasy
or science fiction’s thread
may be in store for you and me
and family we’ve bred.
Will politics be heated red,
or aggregated blue?
Will habits of embrace be shed
when we defeat the flu?

Here’s hoping culture clears its head
to treasure me and you.
Let panic hoarding greed be fled
when we defeat the flu.

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Clarity (Toilet Water)

Posted on March 27, 2020 by sputterpub

Toilet water

Accustomed to new orthopedic pain,
and learning joint by joint anatomy,
to interrupted sleep, unearned weight gain,
and moving at reduced velocity,
imagine my surprise when I awoke
today (to sun and warming atmosphere –
the morning dawned without a foggy cloak),
and found the water in the toilet clear.

In fact I never left my bed last night.
I can’t remember when that happened last,
but starting when I offed the Kindle light
and lingering till seven hours passed
I must have slept, and dreamt. I stayed in bed,
and I feel younger now in chest and head.

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House Arrest 9 (Triolet)

Posted on March 26, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

I thought I’d suffer cabin fever here,
but I feel safe and comfortable instead;
outside is weird – I’m sensing folks in fear.
I thought I’d suffer cabin fever here
and hunger for a social atmosphere,
but I don’t want my loved ones ill or dead.
I thought I’d suffer cabin fever here,
but I feel safe and comfortable instead.

Posted in Coronaverse, Health, Home, Poetry | Tagged , | Leave a comment

House Arrest 8 (Rondeau)

Posted on March 25, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

To stay at home has ever been my goal,
But now it’s not a case of self-control.
I’m ordered to remain inside, like you.
They call it quarantine or something new;
I say it’s house arrest without parole.

Like you I’m sad and anxious, in a hole
Of hemi-news and leaders lacking soul.
The recommended course I know is true:
To stay at home.

Allowed outside to shop for food or stroll
For exercise, compliant is my role –
So far it’s not too much for me to do.
Like you I’ll strive to live without this flu.
I don’t need a citation or patrol
To stay at home.

Posted in Coronaverse, Health, Personality, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

Silver Lining Syndrome

Posted on March 25, 2020 by sputterpub

SilverLining

Just because you find
a good in calamity
doesn’t make a plan

Posted in Philosophy, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

House Arrest 7 (At Least)

Posted on March 24, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

Each day it sinks in deeper what a mess
we’ve made, how serious pandemic is:
the overturning market, local biz
beset or forced to close. We cannot guess
a timeline – lacking data we confess
we’re almost clueless. Theories fade or fizz
in isolation toward a desperate quiz,
while losing ground to politics and stress.

At least I have a little house to shield
me now, improved so comfort is increased.
At least I like a solitary day.
At least we have the virtual to yield
me sights of those I want to meet. At least
my future’s not extensive, anyway.

Posted in Aging, Coronaverse, Health, Poetry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

House Arrest 6 (Limerick)

Posted on March 23, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

Some mammal released a flu storm
That forced human trade to reform,
Regardless of who
We know this is true:
Nobody escapes the new norm.

Posted in Civics, Coronaverse, Health, Poetry | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Morning Therapy

Posted on March 23, 2020 by sputterpub

tunturi-e80-exercise-bike[1]

Resuming at-home exercise at last,
to end a long hiatus – two months off –
I knew I’d ache, but soreness has surpassed
my expectation. Added to the cough
that lingers, I am feeling tender, old,
and weaker than I seemed to be last year.
It’s doubtful I’ll delay or even hold
the line, but I’m not done. Not near.

I plucked a pain reliever off the shelf
and downed it while the pot of coffee dripped.
I stretched and paid attention to myself
before I made the bed, or read, or sipped.
This treatment spanned an hour plus today
and worked.
The pain is lessened.
I’m okay.

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House Arrest 5 (Tanka)

Posted on March 22, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

Today is Day 5.
I can live locked down short-term,
but when will it end?
I’ll captive work my body,
work my mind, beyond release.

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House Arrest 4 (Villanelle)

Posted on March 21, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

We look in vain to Washington for more.
We merit information without lies.
Just what do they think government is for?

It doesn’t matter if we’re rich or poor;
We question but receive no clear replies.
We look in vain to Washington for more.

We’re stuck at home and frightened to the core.
Disease is spread in droplets of demise.
Just what do they think government is for?

The worst of us will ransack every store;
The states are told to get their own supplies.
We look in vain to Washington for more.

By increments we slowly learn the score –
The exponential spread is no surprise.
Just what do they think government is for?

So now our heads are fraught and hearts are sore.
We see among the feds too few are wise.
We look in vain to Washington for more.
Just what do they think government is for?

Posted in Civics, Coronaverse, Health, Poetry | Tagged , | Leave a comment