so all alone

Between the hours of five and six
on just another day that ends in "y"
the numbers swelled above 50, 000
in the age of corona virus.

on the air, there were talking heads
and much nonsense, and while few made smiles,
they were most comic.
The deaths counter rolled upward while
a company sold soap, a school sold futures,
and a pharmaceutical practiced medical heresy.

And in the minutes while the world whirled on
with its noise and new car deals,
scores more died [away from the senseless sounds my heart drifts
to the places where this thing exists]-- where they fade
Alone, alone, so all alone; alone on a ventilator.

Today we wear it, but I think
someday the curse will cease.
Perhaps we will learn and perhaps we will thrive
but there will many fewer alive to speak of these days.

There will be a time in the stillness and darkness of sleep
to atone for these heartless ways.
We will not be able to turn away.

So many goodbyes, wet eyes staring into
memories of love, with no one near
no one to hear last words.

while their faces will fill the dreams of the Angels of care,
and chase the peace of loved ones not allowed to be there;
the rest of us will wonder, did we care
so little for life or love.