by Annis Cassells
Overnight I became elderly Vulnerable Susceptible to the virus Killing young and old Mostly old At the supermarket Disinfectant Masks and gloves Out of stock Shelves marked toilet paper A bare-faced lie I scrawled my name in the dust on those forlorn surfaces Overnight I became expendable Because the economy Because the right to haircuts and beach bonfires Because beers at the pub Because seniors should just stay inside Because they’re gonna die anyway I don’t feel elderly I don’t feel expendable What I do feel Is ready to kick the unmasked who think their freedoms matter more than mine
Annis Cassells is a longtime member of Writers of Kern. Her poems have appeared in print and online journals. In 2019 Annis published her first poetry collection, You Can’t Have It All. She’s a contributor in the 2020 social justice anthology, ENOUGH “Say Their Names…”
Always poignant and empathetic! So good!