After the Virus

After the Virus

H.S. Daniels

After the virus…

Children will embrace each other for the first time in ages.

Teachers will scramble to make up for lost educations.

Businesses will crank out lost labor and product.

After the virus…

We will see each other smile again.

We will breathe the fresh air.

We will feel free, once again, to travel the world.

After the virus…

Streets will feel safe.

Stores will open their doors to everyone.

Homes will be filled with friends and family again.

Day by day, we wait for the order.

The magic word that it’s gone and everything can return to the way it was.

After the virus...everything will be okay.

Only… there is no “after the virus”.

Children will stay away.

Teachers will give up in frustration.

Businesses will close their doors.

Smiles will remain hidden until they eventually fade away.

The air will be breathed through the filter of a mask.

The sites and adventures the world has to offer will remain out of your reach.

Fear and worry will cover the streets like rain. You will stand in line, mask on your face, waiting for your turn to enter the store. Friends and family will call and text while you sit in an empty home.

That order will never come.

The virus is here to stay.

The magic word will never reach our ears, it will never be okay.

Inch by inch you will make your way, a safe distance apart of course, to a place they told you would keep you safe…

Until the door is locked, the gates are closed, and finally, you won’t have to worry anymore.

At last, the virus will be gone… and so will everything else.