Pandemic

spring came and went,

bringing daffodils one day,

erasing itself the next;

we take what we can get close to

as we ache into gaps

left by arms embracing only

empty air.

the neighbour I barely know

is an approaching friend:

oh long-lost human,

companion me

from a distance,

share your fears and hurts

so I can rediscover continuum

in this march of days

which crumble

into unfamiliar longing.

listen to my breath's flutter

from around the corner;

place your thoughts upon my heart

to still me,

and when you can,

pick detritus from my hair,

groom me to rejoin

the human race.