waiting for the light

the light from a star takes years to reach your eyes

it is there but you can’t see it

flaming in space for years before it reaches you

you don’t know it, but you are waiting

waiting for the light

the virus at first so distant

now

here

in your country

in your town

in someone you know

maybe

in you

like the light from a star, it is here

but it takes days

before the symptoms can be seen

before the attack

before lives are forever changed

and all you can do is wait

daughters and sons and parents and brothers and sisters and friends

each of you

sitting at your own table

the news rolling over you

wave after wave

each worse than the last

making small talk

ice in our hearts

as we wait.

Wait for the light

in this war with an invisible enemy

the best action is no action

the best way to hold each other close is to stay apart

and trust in the invisible warriors

whose light is shining even when we can’t see it

the grocery store clerks and health care aides

nursing home attendants and truck drivers

itinerant farm workers and warehousemen

doctors and nurses and scientists

and all who sit and wait

Wait for the light.