Dear Emily, The grocery carriages hold paper supplies, They drive them quickly, with much haste; Among those who could not put away their labor, Or leisure, for courtesies. On the way home they pass the school, No longer open, no bells ringing. They pass the fields of unsown grain, They pass the sun setting. Or rather, he passes them, the fools! They drive on quivering and chilled, For the safe haven of home With toilet paper for their thrones. They scurry past the funeral parlor, Their cars the only sound. The Market square starkly empty No villagers around. When first we surmised the virus dread We did not think of eternity, Because I did not stop for death He stopped for my sister, instead. ©️Mark W. Ó Brien 26/Mar/2020
Bio:
Mark W. Ó Brien is a native of upstate New York with familial ties to several Irish counties including Cork and Waterford. He has been widely published at home in the USA and abroad. He is a two time alumnus of the Blackwater International Poetry Festival. 2014 and again in 2019. “My Childhood Appropriated.” Published by Foothills Publishing is his fourth poetry collection. You may view a sample poem and purchase a copy of his book on the Foothills website.
Previously published titles include Neo-Lethean Dreams (Benevolant Bird Press 2009), Telluric Voices (Foothills Publishing 2013), “Telluric Voices” http://foothillspublishing.com/2014/id71.htm and Lenticular Memories (Benevolant Bird Press 2014).
Donation Appeal:
Throughout June and July, we will be presenting on this web site work by poets and artists responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope you will find these works relevant, comforting and inspiring as we all cope with the economic and health-related fallout.
As you view the work on this site each day, we would like to encourage you to donate to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). Their mission “ is to feed our neighbors in need by providing dignified access to supplemental groceries. AFAC is seeing a record number of families due to the COVID-19 pandemic as families who never thought they would ever be in need are now showing up at our doors for much needed food.” And, in keeping with our hunger-focused efforts, you may also want to visit the Poetry X Hunger website where poems by many poets are posted and are being used by anti-hunger organizations.”
Throughout June and July, we will be presenting on this web site work by poets and artists responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope you will find these works relevant, comforting and inspiring as we all cope with the economic and health-related fallout.
Please consider donating to AFAC. If you do, let us know which poet or artist inspired you so we can send you a personal thank you.
If you send a donation, please let us know.
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