Mourning # 2
2020 was the year of death
the Grinning Reaper gorging on souls
not everything or everyone died, of course
but the demons circled all around
like stone-throwers taking us down
I did not die in 2020, for example
some people I know did and many
famous people I liked
and ideals and illusions and self-esteem
the art of touching another
with your hands last practiced
in February 2020, the year in between.
Time out. Have we been in punishment,
in solitary confinement, on death row,
are we now released? No.
not until we resolve our grief
not until we explore our grief
eat grief for snacks with our TV
(dancing with the stars)
we will never be COVID-free.
---- Kim Hussli, ne Kim Derleth, 78, former teacher, died of the novel
coronavirus on August 29, 2020. Days after her funeral her daughters
Heidi (also a teacher) and Heather got the bug along with Heidi’s
hubby. Heidi had trouble breathing, two weeks after her mother’s
death, "We knew we shouldn’t hug at the funeral," she said, but ...
Heidi (47) died too. Heather said goodbye on her tablet.
The feed went dark. “In 19 days half my family …” she said.
In Green Bay they hide cause of death, but Heidi and Kim became
known and were mourned by students and friends, not by internet
trolls who say that COVID does not exist. “The evil comments broke
my heart.” she said. “Why her and not me?” she said.
