Poetry in a Time of Covid Spring-Summer, 2020, Part 2

by Gerard Sullivan

Mocking Bird perched

In the tall tired Pine

Sing a melody

So I won’t whine.

            May 7

Pink-Purple Magnolias

Busting and Cheery

But COVID Crisis

Has me feeling quite dreary

            May 7

Sit: Be still – Eyes closed

Hear the Birds’ Song

Feel the Sun & the Breeze

For this moment in time

Find Peace

            May 8

It’s raining – I’ve been watching the News

Not the best medicine – to improve my mood.

I’m feeling so lonely – I should be with You!

But I’m sitting here in a melancholy stew

This will end one day – Till then such a bore.

If It doesn’t end soon, my beard will hit the floor.

Like Rip Van Winkle, I will awake and be older.

And my Love for you will be stronger & bolder.

Until that day I’ll have to wait.

And suffer my COVID 19 Heartache ?

            May 8

I’m contemplating writing a book:  COVID 19, 100 WAYS TO KILL A DAY, And Get Very Little Accomplished

            May 10

Lone Piping Plover

Graces the Shore

Could he possibly be –

As lonely as me?

            May 14

Masked & 6 feet apart

Never thought I’d like to

Smell someone fart.

            May 22

Corona Days

Start too early

End too late.

            May 24

COVID 19 BLUES

I am sinking into a dull, monotonous routine.

The deeper I sink, the more lethargic I become-

      The more people annoy me.

Oh, to have the energy of a Sparrow.

            May 26

Magnolia Blossoms have come & gone away

As has Spring: March, April, and the month of May

How much longer will Corona stay?

            May 28

Alone I am

Alone I’ll be

COVID 19.

            May 31

Rains drives violently to the earth

Pop -Pop -Pop….

I lie in bed

Not asleep – Not Awake

Not alive – Not deceased

Pop-Pop-Pop

When will ambiguity stop?

When will Ambivalence stop?

The rain has stopped

When will affliction?

            June 11

There was no one to tell me I needed a haircut.

There was no one to compliment me on my haircut.

No one has been in my car.

I have not been in another person’s car.

I have not shared a meal with anyone.

I have not, in person, shared a meaningful conversation with anyone.

My longest encounter with a person is checking out at the grocery store.

I have not seen people smile.

I have not been to anyone’s home.

I have not been to the Library.

I have not been to the “Y”

I have not been to a concert, movie, or a play……

I have not watched a ballgame.

I have not been to a meeting.

I have not gone to work.

I may never return to work.

The only person who has touched me was the barber.

I have touched no one.

            June 14

Donald the Dump in the Garden of Roses

 Striking his usual poses

 In the background flags flew?

As the comb-over starts to unglue

A cheap thrill do I feel

As the hair starts to unpeel

I pray for a gust to reveal

The truth in the Garden of Roses

            June 16

A gray, warm, uncomfortable, COVID day

               Not much to do – Not much to say

            August 2

When I see people with masks, I feel sad

When I see people without masks I feel mad

Always feeling mad, or sad…

Will I ever feel glad?

August 20

         

Gerard Sullivan describes himself as a “”Melancholy Red Sox fan from the North Shore.”