Not Quite Flu

I wrote this poem as a “serious parody” of William Shakespeare’s prologue to Romeo & Juliet, laying the scene for the two families.

two viruses, both alike in curiosity

but one donned Corona, where we lay our scene

from London to Washington politics rule with impunity

where policies wash the streets with civil blood unclean

from the mouths of viral madness flows

an unknown virus giving nations many sleepless nights

who leaves people regardless of age going toe-to-toe

Photo by Adam Nieścioruk on Unsplash

in fair Corona, fighting for their lives

the passage into the valley of death surrounded by none

but the spectral countenance of familial rage

and, now their father or daughters’ time is done

before their final curtain call on stage;

now to spare others from dying alone

I beg all non-essential workers stay at home.