Not Essential Enough

Essential, we called you, as you brought our groceries to the curb

Essential, we called you, as you placed our packages near our tightly closed back door

Essential, we called you (though from too far for you to hear), as you continued to collect our trash

Not essential enough for a living wage, nor guaranteed healthcare so you could decide if you actually wanted to be essential 

Or if you, like us, would prefer safety in privileged isolation 

But rent was due

We tied your inadequate healthcare to a low-paying job we hope you can stay healthy enough to perform 

Or else we might cease to consider you

Essential

29 Mar 2020

Ring Around Corona

Ring-a-round the rosie,

        Respiratory droplets, 

A pocket full of posies,

        Toilet paper in our closets,

Ashes! Ashes!

        A plague on our nations,

We all fall down,

        Dying in 

                                                    isolation.

28 Mar 2020

Hear it performed, featuring Jasmine Shadburn

Lifeboats for the Economy

The waves appeared

deceptively calm

when the iceberg hit

The minutes passed

and the water poured 

through holes in the hull

There was no question

the ship had begun

its descent into dark waters

As the lifeboats were lowered,

the rich were already

standing by, alert 

They quickly commandeered

the limited places 

for their friends, families 

Their stocks and bonds 

were carefully lowered 

into the remaining seats

The poor,

furthest from safety,

as they always are kept,

arrived in time 

to watch the last of the 

boats cast off

from the sinking wreckage

The bow sank,

the stern lifted,

bodies were tossed,

unprepared,

into the ocean

The rich,

safe in their lifeboats

beside their overflowing riches

watched the bodies 

of the poor,

gasping for breath,

trickle down

into the depths 

of the cold water

27 Mar 2020

Watch it performed