The Give

Do you think

when 

these days

grow free

of infection

we’ll remember

the give

to match

the take?

When we 

evaluate

lost pay,

eviction,

empty plate

will it dawn

that the hungry

and lost

are mirrors

not cost?

As we recall

barren shelves

emptied 

by panic

and wealth

will we reconsider 

the precept

that selfish 

is free?

As we sit alone

behind masks 

and distance

on CO2 planet 

that destroys 

our resistance

will clearcut

fall to

humility?

Driven away

from touch 

and embrace,

from arena, 

chapel,

school, 

cafe, 

stadium,

and stage…

Will bird, 

and leaf, 

plant

and harvest,

pencil

and poem

cloud,

and sky

return 

to fill

our eyes?

When we 

wake

from this 

spell

of hoard 

and hide

will we 

dig deep 

to fill 

the losing

with hands 

of bridging,

reaching,

sharing,

giving?