By Douglas J. Lanzo
Copyright 2020

First published in Academy of the Heart and Mind, April 26, 2021

During this most trying time of the year
with death at our doorstep, its breath in our ear,
with thousands of countrymen falling each day
from invisible contagion that does ruthlessly slay,
felling visions and dreams before they are formed,
leaving would-be acts of love wholly unperformed,
separating family from loved ones suffering in fear,
without touch of a hand or wiping back of a tear;

We send thanks to each responder, doctor and nurse,
trapped in this nightmare without time to rehearse,
working to exhaustion in this real life tragedy,
to stave off the Grim Reaper, using every remedy,
risking their own lives to provide saving breaths,
resuscitating patients from their darkest depths,
unable to take more than a moment to grieve
the patient who dies with only them to bereave;

Yes, while lighting a candle or a Christmas tree,
let us pause for a moment, so our children can see,
and offer a prayer for those who safeguard our lives;
healing our mothers, husbands and wives.