Friday, August 7, 2020

Poem

WTF Were the Grown-Ups Thinking?: 
A Poem for College Undergraduates Nationwide 

Dear young adults, please do us proud 
Of your budding social graces 
As now you move, a giant crowd, 
Back to your campus places. 
Please use your smarts, do as you vowed: 
Stand apart at least six paces, 
And t’ prevent a covid aerosol cloud, 
Wear masks upon your faces. 

Be brave, stand up, don’t just stand by 
When peers flout common sense. 
Your health’s at risk—and so is mine— 
the dangers are immense. 
Say “friends, by now we all know why 
Masks are the best defense 
Against th' contagious coronavi- 
Rus. Don, or go I hence.” 

If peers reply, "We've none to wear 
Until our laundry’s done," 
Now's the time to show you care 
By offering to give them some 
From your stash—you're so prepared 
This problem to overcome! 
But if “Ne'er!” they shout, then do not err: 
Swiftly from them run. 

I know you’re young, I know you’re strong, 
I know you're kind and wise. 
Most of you know right from wrong, 
Yet still I agonize. 
Choosing well th’semester long 
Will be, ‘tis no surprise, 
A challenge. Thus I beg you, throng: 
Mask! Distance! Sanitize!