in the lost year
where everything
was locked down
i forgot how much
was missing in
the day to day
last year anyone
out and about
had a hurried gait
eyes fearful over
masks and shields.

today i saw ladies
in sundresses
smiling brightly
in the noontime sun
i was struck by
how long it had been
since i saw a smile
out in the wilds.

these glimmers of hope
are still too few
so very far between
and serve to remind me
how many hours
were lost
huddled inside
waiting patiently for
the world to end
unaware it has been
ending for decades.