Country Interrupted

what is the sound of a million doors slamming
almost at the same time, invitations to emergencies
crowding and lines

a germ is coming let's all make way
as if it were on a railroad timetable

let it hold sway crown it with hey
let's all go away the germ owns everything now
bow down for the germ. make way make way

beware if the germ or you will pay
BELIEVE IN THE GERM

make everything stop no high noon foray
the townspeople shocked are moving away
or they would if they could find a place

where the germ didnt get off at the station
hand washing nation wash on

what season is it anyway when the only thing going on
is closing
for how long, we can't say

maybe the museum
maybe the library.
you can go

but you must stay
oh now the museum.

now the library
now the church service delay
say are they cancelling God today

then the ballet whatever it was
the shamrock parades

then the world of Disney
suddenly the walls to the city have been breached
by a germ by a what if it gets worse

closing is everywhere

not closing sales
not closing the deal
not closing one chapter

and beginning another
closing for its own sake because the germ likes it that way
and we are here to do the bidding of the germ

closing for the sound of  the words on the tongue

without even a bye your leave or an excuse my dust
you must you must you must
adapt yourself to closing lets cancel the sun next

the moon sundry stars
the map of where you are or where you were

reopening on someonw'a noone knows whose
whim who, who knows when

not tasting like cherry or lemon or lime
tasting of time time splintered in an unaccustomed way
by various and sundry

by public announcements over the P.A.
by default by fiat it's on its way draw the shades
breathe quietly maybe it will go away

here comes the census Broadway's gone dark
we all have the sniffles must be the Last Days
everything is going away at the same time

we dont know when it's coming back in nursery rhymes
like Dorothy when the balloon went home without her
I dont know about you but something about this
doesnt make sense

like suddenly someone just threw the switch
on the whole country
and is snickering in the dark.

mary angela douglas 13 march 2020