Caution still loomed in the back of my mind even though I took about a month off from writing poetry in response to the coronavirus pandemic. My life’s demands took priority because I self-published a book I had been working on for two and a half years, it neared completion. The final requirements side-tracked me, but I returned to my poetic view of my experience of the pandemic and what was going on at the time with caution still being a main concern!
During my poetic slowdown, the coronavirus pandemic continued. People tired of the shelter-in-place restrictions. Michigan exploded with protests against the restrictions set in place by governor Gretchen Whitmer.
On April 15, 2020, USA Today’s headlines were, “Thousands converge to protest Michigan governor’s stay-home order in ‘Operation Gridlock’.” Thousands of cars equipped with bull horns and protest flags stymied traffic around the capitol.
On April 30, 2020, Fox News headlines stated, “Michigan protesters storm state Capitol in fight over coronavirus rules: ‘Men with rifles yelling at us’.” The media shared pictures (I will not show) of protesters on the capitol’s steps with assault weapons and rifles—no masks and social distancing and guns!
One photo seared into my memory was a lineup of six masked protesters inside the capitol with a variety of rifles and assault rifles standing in front of a door—what an eerie feeling that picture conjured up! Why the rifles?
The Guardians headlines said, “Armed protesters demonstrate against Covid-19 lockdown at Michigan capitol.” It sited a picture of a brazen mask-less protester screaming inches away from the policeman standing guard, doing his job!
After a couple weeks of mulling over these images and these stories, I wrote the following poems:
The Wait for What?
May 13, 2020
Since March 9
I self-quarantined
For two weeks
I stayed put!
Then it stretched
To May 15!
March
April
Half of May
Drastic
Maybe
Wise and cautious
For sure
I obey
I wear a mask
I adhere to six feet
In social distance
I apply hand sanitizer
After each necessary outing!
Yet the battle rages
Some say it’s a hoax
Protest
Violate the restrictions
In the name of the first amendment
Free exercise of religion
Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Right to peaceably assemble
The right to petition the government
For redress of grievances.
In the name of the second amendment
A well-regulated militia, being necessary
To the security of a free State,
The right of the people to keep
And bear arms shall not be
Infringed.
The right to bear arms
because of the coronavirus?
Really?
Can you shoot this enemy?
A minuscule virus particle
Why guns?
Why assault weapons?
A AT4 rocket launcher?
Why Confederate flags?
Swastikas?
As this continues,
Confusion mounts!
As the unrest continues,
My confusion soars, too!
A virus
Killing thousands
Demands denial and protests?
Why do you deny it?
Ill-advised?
Ignorant?
Stupidity?
Why do you clamor
About socialism
And your rights?
Selfish
Self-centered
ME, Me, me!
What about compassion?
Caring for others?
It’s not about you,
you,
you!
The wait for normalcy
logic
and
compassion to surface
may be a long time in coming!
For some!
For others
it never left!
I Disagree! I Have That Right, But Can We Talk?
May 15, 2020
I want caution
You throw caution
To the wind!
I want safety
Six feet apart
My mask
My gloves
You brandish your rights
Invade my space
Bare faced
Bare hands
Smug in your beliefs!
Absolutely two world views
Mine conservative
Yours liberal
Mine concerned
About me
And you
Yours driven
About you
Only!
Can we talk?
Is there someplace
To agree?
Or
Are times of agreement
Gone?
Will you honor me
With a mask and gloves
Not judge me
Not invade my space
With my vulnerable spirit?
Will I honor you?
Maskless
Belligerent
Defiant
Here's the problem
I don’t understand
Your recklessness!
Why?
Explain your reasons
For your actions
Or
Lack?
I need assurance
This is life or death!
My life
My death
Therefore
I’ll follow my convictions
I have that right
You follow yours
You have that right too
Hopefully
We’ll both
Make it through!
But I still disagree!
Over a month later and the argument over masks, social distancing and caution continues as the case numbers surge, and I still don’t understand!
I still don’t understand!
~DO YOU WANT AN PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE FLIPPO BIOGRAPHY? It’s available NOW! I am experiencing a delay from the publishers—sorry about that! Go to my website and pay for it there: https://www.laradasbooks.com
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~Whitey & Gladys Puerling, playful friends of Flippo’s, created a Fan Club. I thought it would be fun to recreate this group. Would you like to join the Marshall Flippo Fan Club Facebook page? Read interesting posts about Flippo’s life. https://www.facebook.com/groups/328325644382769/