Virus
 
We are all having
the same nightmare, overcome
by an invisible, relentless enemy
completely unable to protect ourselves.

People are dying by the dozens
doing the work, we take for granted.
Undervalued, often underpaid labour 
suddenly something we can't live without. 

People are dying alone
in soiled beds made up of despair.
They lie along walls wailing prayers 
wishing they could say their last goodbyes. 



New

Oh-one-oh-one twenty-twenty-one
the day we made sure 2020 hasn't won.

I woke up not quite right in the head
ready to shave last night off my tongue

unearth the mysteries of sweet gone bitter
wondering why I didn't expect this result.

The New Year has arrived
not fresh and clear as I would like 

but neither am I.
I will try to find

the light of calm inside the 
heavy darkness and go from there.



Vacation

Five days off work, but The Pandemic rages on.

I can't travel, seek new surroundings.
I can't go to a ballgame or concert.
I can't really leave the house. But
I must make the best of it.

I'm going to take a vacation
	from not being grateful
		for everything I have.
The alternative is becoming intolerable.

I'm going to take a vacation from bitterness.
I'm going to take the week off
from trying not to enjoy life
until I can change the world.

I'm going to take a vacation
from convincing everyone
that I am right or I am good
and not care too much what anyone thinks.

I suppose in a week I might feel better.                                   

Notes on Prior Publication

“Virus” was originally published in the Canadian Stories, October/November 2020 issue.
“New” was anthologized in In Silence We Wait, Hidden Brook Press, February 2021.
“Vacation” was originally published in the Canadian Stories, August/September 2021 issue.

Return to Journal

Pat Connors first chapbook, Scarborough Songs, was released by Lyricalmyrical Press in 2013, and charted on the Toronto Poetry Map. He contributed 18 poems to Bottom of the Wine Jar, published in 2017 by SandCrab Press, and launched in Gibara, Cuba.

He has had work printed in Belgium, India, and the United Kingdom, in addition to the United States and Canada.

Past publication credits include: Spadina Literary Review; Tamaracks; and Tending the Fire, released this spring by the League of Canadian Poets.

Recent publication credits include: Poetry and Covid; Devour; Lummox 9 Anthology; Canadian Stories; Harbinger Asylum; Silver Birch Press; Poetry Pause.

His first full collection, The Other Life, is forthcoming from Mosaic Press.  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.j.connors.3

Twitter: https://twitter.com/81912CON

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