Destiny

Sweet aroma lifts my mind

Into a twisting, turning kind

Of bliss that knows no end,

Only the oneness of a lover friend.

Where to start, I wonder so.

What to believe, tossed to and fro.

Only a simple wish by a pure heart

Can break the spell of this pixie art.

Follow me, down this path,

To a steaming bubble bath,

She said, softly, pointing into a room,

Lit by candles, smelling of perfume.

I won’t charge you a single penny,

Just sink into this lemon honey.

Taste the succulent, fleshy flower

Of my magic star of power.

Let me see. Oh, where was I?

I can stop, if I only try.

Thinking to myself, for a moment.

I must choose to be reverent.

But how can I pass this perfect plum,

So inviting, saying come get some?

I want to be home, I need a place

To save my last, tearful grace.

Wait a minute. Hum a tune.

You can forget you’re in this room.

Hold your breath. Step outside.

Leap across this carnival ride.

Something wakes you, to pray tell,

Someone sees you start to melt.

Run, you say, to yourself.

All you think is true is hell.

Love won’t enchant you,

Capture you or trap you.

It will set you free

To find your own path to destiny!

My Friend, Covid-19

Reach out—flex.

Cringe back—gasp!

Brush up against—

Sorry! My mistake!

What the (bleep) are you doing?

Watch yourself! Be careful!

Did you wash your hands?

Every hour?

You don’t realize how much you touch.

Oh, but only if…

We could meet again,

Hang out. Have coffee together.

Can I read you a story?

No, you might cough on me!

Let’s start over.

We can’t.

What’s done is done.

Where is your mask?

You’ve got to…

Only, perhaps,

It is too late.

Perhaps.

The Essential

Waking from a dream,

I find, I am in a nightmare.

The status quo is social distancing,

I cannot shake your hand,

Much less,

Give you a hug.

The world has been

Turned upside down

By an odd appetite,

And now we all must curb

A variety of yearnings,

Like sitting down in a restaurant,

Going to the movie theater,

Visiting at a friend’s house,

Shopping at the mall.

What has become of the world?

It seems just yesterday,

That I could go anywhere,

At any time.

Now I must check myself,

And ask if it is essential.

What is essential,

After all?