Malaria in Florida
COVID surging in Japan
bird flu infecting cats in Poland
and sea lions in Chile
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
spreading in Europe
I think that I
will just stay home.

*

I have heard that the five
hottest days on record
all occurred just last week
and I have heard
that the busiest day
for commercial aviation
also occurred just last week
and though I know
one cannot draw a straight line
between these events
I keep thinking
that they’re connected.

*

The judges ruled
individuals cannot sue
their employers
if they contract the plague
at work, if that were permitted
it would have “dire
financial consequences
for employers”
and it is only acceptable
for the plague to have “dire
financial consequences”
for unlucky employees.

*

You say
that you cannot live
like a hermit
but please understand
that many of us
are just hoping
to live through…