a stifled cough, a smothered sneeze

we look at each other and suddenly we freeze

colder to one another than the last lonely bag of peas

and though we’re only standing two metres apart

a cavernous space now lies between our hearts

fuelled by fear and a strangers suspicious glance

eyes as empty as the supermarket shelves

self isolating makes us to look into ourselves

and as we do, two stark creatures emerge

one born of hatred, the other of love

desperately torn between which voice to heed

one whispers of kindness, the other screams of greed

the earth is cracking, it splits in two

as the world falls into crisis, which one are you?

though all is not lost, if you look closely you’ll see

hope rings in the voices of neighbours singing to each across balconies

it trembles shyly in the shaking veined hands

of the grateful old lady thanking the delivery man

it grows as it deliriously feeds on the good

casting a big shadow where fear once stood

so like a nervous child watching its mother, we take our cue

it evolves - and slowly - we do too.