I have these fuzzy memories Of a world split apart at the seams Did it really happen? Or am I just recalling foggy dreams? The world completely shut down Our office space became zoom calls We found new things to do in the time we used to commute Discovered our productivity didn’t fall We got to spend more time with our families Picked up a new skill or two Our pets played with us each day never had to watch us walk away I still don’t know how teachers managed virtual school It became an epidemic of loneliness isolation and fear that we could not suppress We stockpiled supplies and every day more people died Was it all just a dream? Or was it a nightmare? We huddled together We tore ourselves apart No it wasn’t a dream It was Covid-19 Essential workers kept the lights on but the rest of us failed to quarantine People couldn’t stand to be asked to protect others by wearing a mask While hero nurses practically didn’t sleep. At first we were together but then leaders looked for someone to blame Instead of following what doctors said to do they told us it was no worse than the flu Turned people’s suffering into a partisan game A million people died Some with their last breath denied that the pandemic was worth disrupting our lives Was it all just a dream? Or was it a nightmare? We huddled together We tore ourselves apart No it wasn’t a dream It was Covid-19 They gave out billions to keep businesses afloat Then fired those making sure the loans were right Who knows what happened when they shut down oversight? And even as we tell the rich they won’t have to repay we deport the essential workers who saved the day and harass the doctors whose vaccines ultimately won the fight Was it all just a dream? Or was it a nightmare? We huddled together We tore ourselves apart No it wasn’t a dream It was Covid-19 It was Covid-19 We like to think it’s in the past but our trauma lasts and lasts And the virus still doesn’t care what are leaders are saying up there
