Perimeter

               

Circling the perimeter
to catch a glimpse
       of
Cotton and Chess
i hear they’re fine
just fine
eating from pails of kernels
we’ve left behind.
 our brave frontliners
Rey, Jaymer, and Aries
holding fort
holding the line
taking care of the creatures
we hope

 

          we did not leave behind.

Circling the perimeter
to catch a glimpse
         of
Cotton and Chess
all i have to do is
take a step
stand on the curb, holler
he’d rush galloping here
and break the barrier.

  But that’d be breaching
the quarantine
weakening
the illusory
clasp and chain

 

Circling the perimeter
to catch a glimpse
        of
Cotton and Chess
not to break a promise
to family and friends
that stepping out

would be contact-free.
PROTECT THE VULNERABLE
Never  inconvenience the community.

 

Circling the perimeter
to catch a glimpse
         of
Cotton and Chess
a prison for many
but for us
it should be easy

                                      right?

lose sight,
           lose touch

                        lose hope

 

lose the life we knew

 

   lose the light
     

         faint thread

 

                        memory

  Circling the perimeter
  to catch a glimpse
           of
  Cotton and Chess.

               

     -March 31, 2020