Event 2020

we are all islands

–all of a sudden—

islands

man, woman, and deserted child,

stranded in a virtual world

(which U can’t spell without viral)

and Trump stumper or no—you gotta admit that’s bad politics

in dividing

in dividuals,

herd mentality reigns

–double an arm-span distance away

(oceans apart)

the world partitioned by screen

doors

(compartments)

slammed shut against pandemic

(which U can’t spell without panic)

opportunity bypassing bell

(sorry we missed you!)

that can’t be un-rung

boarded up w

–Windows broken—

((compartments)) inside of (compartments)

hands not holding

arms not embracing

breath not breathing

particular expressions

imprint

on government-stamped

treks

(stay close to home!)

–shell-shocked

(or else!)

in hell-locked

closed–

—the keys gone missing

–freedom deemed non-essential,

along with long-gone rights to privacy

doggone it!

Home Alone

Too

(much)

remixed w

Munch’s scream

palms to dropjaw

(dropping arms)

slide inexorably closer

to mouth

–Test boundaries—

(gathering arms)

accidentally on

purpose

–checking corners–

purposefully accidental

smile as fixed as far off gaze

so clamped in place  you can almost hear the teeth grinding

–“say cheese” shot weeks past candid–

but doggedly determined

leashed owners retrace steps

not fetching

sticks

(throne)

scepters on backorder

Billy Club hazing new members

WHO

–toilet paper trees

in yards Gates opened.