this simple little test kit
the one that holds the verdict
thumb up, or thumb down
do you have it, or do you not
is brought to you by science

this simple mask, made
to contain another's spray
of viral threat, or better
to protect your nurse, your doctor
against the novel killer
is brought to you by science

this simple soap, suddenly scarce
designed to function at a level
of ionic charges on viral shells
surrounding and stripping danger
from your careless hands
is brought to you by science

this simple ventilator
that mindlessly moves air
in and out when you cannot
that stands between you
and circling death
is brought to you by science

that simple meme, shared endlessly
on social media platforms
the one that says "why don't
we use a flu vaccine, why?"
is brought to you by idiots

your call
                        

cue the gray skies and rain
a thing of beauty, these drops
fading in over sunshine 
and cloudless blue

and a simultaneous shock
as one word becomes a sentence
pandemic, says w.h.o.
pandemic, echoes c.d.c.
pandemic, babbles c.n.n.
and every other outlet

the word comes down to me
over sixty-five are to stay in
guess i'll put the gray rain on repeat
play it again today, tomorrow

i stand at my kitchen window
watch the golden poppies
refuse to unfurl as though
even they have grudgingly entered
social isolation against
some thing they cannot see