This post first appeared on my weekly newsletter, (is a) Good Thing. It was written at the end of 2021, as the COVID-19 virus was threatening every social plan.
There’s a party this New Years
You’re one and all invited
Every man, every woman in sight.
There’ll be dancing and booze
Good friends and good people
May you not be in iso this night.
It’s been a long while
Since we’ve all been together
So bring yourself, that’s all that you’ll need.
It’s been a hard year
We can’t wait to see you
May you not be in iso this eve.
But then what did happen
A stray breath, an expose
That leads to a swab
Going high up your nose
It tickles the places
You hope never to touch
It leaves you disturbed
It all feels too much
But that swab is nothing,
compared with the wait
For the call that might come
And the plans it will break
You sit yourself down
Your phone by your side
You close your eyes
You want to go hide
You start to breathe deep
You wait for a sign
You look out for anything
To distract your mind
The party’s tonight
But the wait it goes on
You wonder just how
It could all take so long
You stare at the ceiling
You contemplate
You pine for the call
You sit there and wait.
And then in the morning
With the empties disposed
And the tables all but clear.
Your negative comes through
But the party is done
May you not be in iso next year.
