It Seems Like Forever Ago

Pandemic (#6)

Photo by Blake Cheek on Unsplash

it seems like forever ago
that we were concerned
about plastic straws
reusable grocery bags
and fracking

we had family gatherings
hugged friends
and shook hands

it seems like forever ago
that we baked cookies
took them fresh to a friend
and stayed to chat over tea

we’d go to work
have lunch with co-workers
and on Fridays
go out for a drink

it seems like forever ago
that we could turn on the news
and see something other than
Covid-19 and death rates

all of those things
seem like forever ago

now we quell the reflex to
reach out and touch someone
and our hearts ache

we want to hop on a plane
a train or even a bus
and visit family
who live miles away