280,000 Dead and Counting

Coronavirus remains rampant in this country, and every day the number of those who die from the virus continues to climb at alarming rates.

280,000 Dead and Counting

Covid-19 deplaned in Seattle and deployed within an hour

of landing, jumping from one dupe to another in that hour.

Finally, it gained a foothold among vulnerable seniors

settled in assisted living. Wreaked havoc hour by hour

effectively smothering its targets by stiffening their lungs.

It didn't take long for this virus to move on, a matter of hours.

New York, top-heavy with the deaths of black, brown and older

souls cut down by Coronavirus, stacked their bodies on each hour.

The victims, old or young, healthy or not, dark-skinned or fair,

the bandwidth of life suffering without family in their closing hours.

Then cases shifted down South and out West. Many counted

on a new vaccine, but its swift release resided in Story Hour.

Next up for the virus - flyover country. Hard hats and die-hards

with a streak of bullheaded independence insisting, "It's our

right to refuse face coverings and social distancing," scarcely

recognizing these actions might lead to many more final hours.

Here in the midlands, I, Marilyn M., swear to mask, avoid peer

pressure and crowds even fatigued as I am by these endless hours.

Marilyn Aschoff Mellor