It started as a notion that affected very few –
an ill that lacked a potion, so it traveled and it grew.

A viral infestation that was spreading ‘cross the land
had sparked investigation, but was getting out of hand.

It broached the local borders, then it showed up overseas
where it brought out all the hoarders – took the planet to her knees.

They used the term ‘pandemic’ when the numbers were unveiled –
a problem deemed ‘systemic’ of preparedness that failed.

From China to Korea, then to Europe and Iran –
we lacked a panacea, so the Fed devised a plan.

The logical solution was to send the workers home,
to halt its evolution – in the hopes it wouldn’t roam.

They quarantined the people and a shutdown was declared,
cafés, bars and steeples – not a single place was spared.

The global markets tumbled and the price of oil declined,
so living-standards crumbled, leaving futures undefined.

It all made perfect fodder for the ones who disbelieved –
who thought the global dodder might have even been conceived.

Conspiracies repeated on the street and in the press
left some debaters heated and some others in distress.

A willful composition tooled for economic war –
a plan without admission, made to even up the score.

Labs in distant corners sought a cure to end the spread,
while devastated mourners tried to reconcile their dead.

They’d craft a vaccination with its contents undisclosed,
to guarantee protection – leave consumption unopposed.

There’s still a silver lining, one like every cloud contains –
when causes come together and the fellowship remains.

Amidst the fear and blindness of a plight that plagues the land,
are random acts of kindness and desire to lend a hand.

Masks are now in fashion and your gloves – you need to wear,
our toilet paper’s rationed and the grocery shelves are bare.

But traffic, once a creeper, has improved with lighter flow
and gas is slightly cheaper – ‘cause there’s no place left to go.

Conference calls are normal, since you have to work from home,
and work attire’s less formal – just retire your brush and comb.

All this gloom and worriment undoubtedly will end –
we’ll all traverse the discontent and have a chance to mend.

A cure will be discovered to exterminate the fear,
the markets will recover and the jobs will reappear.

For now, just keep your distance and wash your hands a lot,
be helpful to your neighbor – in the end, that’s all we’ve got.