Invisibly you came

in people and the air,

         came out of nowhere,

first there, then here, then everywhere.

Separated by six feet,

disconnecting older from younger,

         teachers from students,

loved ones kept from loving

         only by afar—

virus, how you frustrate us.

Who can be trusted?

when you sicken

         inside or outside a mask,

when distancing and testing

         does not stop, only slows —

your life among us.

We may share the same risky air,

our life competing with yours,

         but as you feed and grow,

know that we know,

         you will never have a vaccine —

against us . . .

         virus, we are your virus!