it’s hard
forcing myself to go to work
knowing the dangers
i may face,
but i brave my fears regardless;
i won’t bow down to fear
and make it my god—
i will believe in the goodness of nature
of spring and her flowers,
birdsong nesting in my ears,
the blooming flowers of my favorite flowering tree;
i will believe in shimmering creeks
and green mossy rocks and the laughter of ivy
spilling through her and there—
there are many terrible things in the world,
but there are also good;
and when this virus ravages the minds
of everyone
i cannot be afraid because i know i have
the shield of goodness to cut down every nightmare
in my path.
