Social Distancing - Dec 27 2023

 

 Social Distancing

Dec 27 2023

The polite nod.

The door held

a little too long.

That awkward no-man's land

of indecision,

caught between

making time

and being nice.

The sidewalk stutter-step,

feinting left

then right

then left again.

And always, the proper distance kept;

that perimeter

of personal space

you feel more than know.

Above all

no eye contact,

talking to strangers,

helping hands.

And actual touch??

Perish the thought!

Except, more often than not

it's the withering glare.

Expletives

under your breath.

Middle finger

out the car window

when the light turns red.

Or worse, poison pen

rumours spread

anonymous threats.

Foul tongue

mother-f@#&$er

sucker punch.

Or you can turn the other cheek

and suck it up.

When neighbourly love is hard.

When even like

is asking too much.

And when the darkness

at the heart of things

weighs down your soul,

just let the door go

and never look back.