How The Virus Stole Springtime
With apologies to The Grinch, The Lorax, and Dr. Seuss
In Utah, New York, and in Michigan, too
All of the people were waiting for blue
Skies and blue water,
Green trees and green grasses,
Picnics and beach days and endings of classes.
But Coronavirus had different ideas.
’Cause COVID liked coughing and aching and wheezes.
“Stay in your houses!”
The Mayors proclaimed.
“You’re safest at home ’til this virus is tamed.”
So as winter ended and springtime emerged
We watched from the windows
And hid from the scourge.
We homeschooled and gardened
And knitted up sweaters
We Zoomed and we baked
And mailed old-fashioned letters.
And when things got better by just a small bit
We went back to shopping and churching. We quit
Wearing our masks and we started bar-hopping.
And COVID, the virus, it started cropping
Back up in the places that felt in-the-clear
And filled beds in hospitals both far and near.
It’s hard to stay home. We’re all feeling stuck.
It’s easy to argue and play “pass-the-buck.”
But ’til everyone cares a whole awful lot
The virus, it’s not going away. It’s just not.
So put on your mask. Treat each other with care.
Keep a safe distance, in fresh outside air.
Love those around you.
Protect them from coughs that hack.
Then you, and I, and all of our friends might get to come back.
© Cathlyn Melvin 2020
