A Better Way

Each day
was the same
Until it was
not
One day
Children stopped
Going to school
People stopped
Gathering
Parties cancelled
Weddings postponed
All over
the world
people stayed home
and wore
a mask
when out
Stores closed
Sports games cancelled
Factories suspended
Outside was silent
Not dissimilar to
A cold
winter’s spell
Only it wasn’t
cold
And it wasn’t
winter
Birds chirped
Flowers blossomed
Trees bloomed
Babies frolicked
Frogs sang
The people were
still
And the planet
mended
Smog disappeared
And the
people sang
from their
living room
To an audience
in their
living room
And the people
had parades
in their cars
to celebrate
birthdays
They decorated
their windows
With rainbows
and made colorful
Masks for
other people
Days were joyous
until the people
and the planet
healed