Pandemic: A Poem

During time spent on lock down in the 2020 coronavirus outbreak, I produced a series of character studies, short shorts, poems, and vignettes in 500 or fewer words. Enjoy!

The extroverts are going crazy after only ten days of physical isolation.

“Social isolation” they say

But it’s really physical distance that matters.

This virus can’t cross social media or contaminate via text message.

I silently calculate the cars on the streets.

Are all these people essential workers?

Maybe.

I shouldn’t be so judgy.

My feed fills up with tips on how to maximize this time.

Learn an instrument. Start painting. Write that book.

Meditate.

I always work on myself. This doesn’t feel that different.

But maybe I should try something new.

Push myself.

Start the next thing in my life.

What have I been meaning to do?

The extroverts are going crazy.

A lot of introverts are loving it.

See?

We always knew we could work from home!

Uncertainty makes lots of people anxious.

Americans are taught to maintain control: control what we eat, how we respond, how we look.

But it’s all illusion.

Nature will have Her way.

I find uncertainty comforting,

Reality revealing itself.

Because nothing is certain.

The only thing I can control is my own mind.

A lot of introverts are loving it.

I am one of them.

I read. Binge TV. Write. Work. Sleep. Walk. Yoga.

Text. Have Netflix horror parties. Hold virtual happy hour with friends.

See? Introverts are social, too.

I suspect this whole introvert/extrovert thing is just another social construct.

Another way of categorizing in order to establish (the illusion of) control.

It’s probably bullshit.

We trade memes like new currency

And argue about what’s in poor taste.

The introverts are loving it.

The extroverts are going crazy.