1. America At 70

I am here. Looking over the edge.
Standing on the ledge from which no male Comen treads
Dead in their 60's I was born after the second war for democracy.
where we turned our heads to Korea, Nam and hypocrisy.

Sitting sheltered in place high risk where no place is safe
Corona on the tube, and in my refrigerator to get me in the mood
for what I have no idea cause there can be no affection here.
the six-foot rule applies in stores for supplies or fries and beer

my wife teaches from home dressed in slippers and her velvet robe
her kids text throughout the night with questions, in bits and bytes
My daughter went to do homework with friends not knowing where danger lurks
The President did not fully state whether kids can congregate
in small groups to study or play, or even pray


Since 1865, when none alive survived
War was fought on distant shores never at our very doors
life continued the only fear was for our soldiers we held dear
We came together, bonded by a national tether to weather the storm

As I approach America at 70
I see the world falling free
without governments or She nor He
solving what none could see

The tether which was tightly wound
by work, faith, and family sounds
broke apart as fears abound
as China's virus made the rounds

One by one societal evolution
stopped and reversed its revolution
right to left became left to right
Up became down and down was out of sight

Doctors and Nurses caught the bug
some would never kiss or hug
Medical armies live in fear
of both the virus and their peers

Bars could no longer serve the crowd
Basketball Courts ceased to be loud
Stores were emptied by a fearful world
as etiquette  out the window was hurled

Borders closed and cities ceased
to function at the very least
duck and cover with masks and gloves
soap and water became first loves

No one knows where this will end
as cities and towns and nations defend
against a virus that won't yield nor bend
that seems to mutate after every cure that might mend

In this era where God's locked away
hidden in hearts that turned gray
Where evil inclinations carry the day
Perhaps it's time faiths had their say

The Golden Rule might not seem cool
Faith it seems has been replaced
as selfishness rears, it's ugly face
Its time God was returned to the rightful place