“Touchy-feelie Girl in the Time of the Virus” by Camille Hill
Don’t touch
used to be
a sign you read
in stores
full of breakables,
back in the time
before
when we used to go to stores
for frivolous things.
Nowadays
We don’t touch
each other
casually
anymore,
hardly at all.
We recoil
from people
who get too close,
protecting ourselves
from infection.
I miss hugs
and snuggles
and casual touches
of affection
and encouragement
and caring.
I long
for the day
When we can
hug
and touch
freely
again
whenever we want.
Whenever it feels right
Whenever someone else
needs the human connection
like I need it
right now.
-----
“That’s Not Love” by Camille Hill
Love is in the air!
Or so we used to say
on a beautiful, sunny day like today.
Flowers
are in bloom
and people
are outside
walking around
and driving
in their cars
with the windows down
and their kids
and friends
and dogs
along for the ride.
How nice
for them!
But not so much
for the rest of us,
for those of us
who don’t want
to catch a virus
or pneumonia
or heck even a common cold
at this time
of the COVID-19
pandemic.
Even if
we don’t catch
THAT virus,
any illness
could weaken
our immune systems
and make us
more vulnerable
to the corona virus.
There is no treatment
and no vaccine
for that one
right now,
and there probably
won’t be
any time soon.
So to all of you
wandering around
unprotected
spreading
whatever infections
you may be carrying,
whether or not
you have symptoms:
that’s not love
you are putting
in my air.
-----
“Surrender to the Virus” by Camille Hill
Surrender!
To the virus!
You forgot to
wash your hands!
Touched your eyes!
Now you’re infected!
You’ll never
have a chance!
Remember
when it started!
Trump and Fox said
it’s OK!
No worries!
It’s no problem!
It’ll all just
go away!
Ha!
Corona virus!
Incubation.
14 days.
Symptomatic.
Asymptomatic.
Social distancing.
No face masks!
No Purel!
No Lysol!
No plastic gloves!
No toilet paper!
No vaccine!
Too late!
Too late!
Stocks crash!
Pandemic explosion!
Boom!
You will never
control the virus!
Surrender!
Surrender!
Surrender!
Game over!
Virus wins.
-----
“That there is a mighty funny looking lamb, just sayin’ “ by Camille Hill
Like a lion cub with golden eyes,
needle teeth and claws denied
by Trump Administration lies,
you crept in, soft as butterflies.
A fortnight later – no surprise.
Shelves are bare, infections rise
despite attempts to minimize
that jeopardize American lives
Don’t socialize - sanitize!
Despite that perm we recognize
a lion in a lamb disguise,
We see you and we’re terrified!
Outcries.
Sad sighs.
Red eyes.
Goodbyes.
-----
“Zoomtimes” by Camille Hill
Zoom-a-zoom zoom.
Zooming in.
Zooming out.
Camera lenses.
Video calls.
A touch of Zumba.
I zoom therefore I am.
I zoom.
You zoom.
We all zoom
from our living room
in our PJs
or our work clothes.
And maybe a llama
joins the workflows.
Is it secure?
Not really.
But what do we care now?
We just want the human connection.
Affection.
Introspection.
Depression.
Disinfection.
Recession.
Deception.
Projection.
Deflection.
Misdirection.
Misperception.
Many questions.
In this time of infection.
Who knows
where this all goes?
New woes.
This blows.
Old clothes.
TV shows.
Cashflows.
NGOs.
Photos.
Spread slows.
Hope grows.
Rainbows.
-----
[Untitled]