This poem came to me, after hearing Jon Lemire on Morning Joe (MSNBC) list the statistics for December 2, 2020, for coronavirus in the United States. He used the exact phrase “the deadliest day for Americans.” I have included the stats in the poem below and hope against hope, that they will go down rapidly, going forward.
I hope you will forgive me, for beating the drum once again. Be careful. Wear a mask. Distance yourselves. Stay home when possible.
Thanks for taking the time to read. And thanks to those who report and keep us informed!
The deadliest day for Americans.
The highest count of all.
Two hundred thousand cases,
Affecting great and small.
The deadliest day for Americans.
In hospitals, in bed,
One hundred thousand, sickly,
And near three thousand dead.
The deadliest day for Americans,
We stretch our hands toward Heaven
And plead, to stop this saintly march:
Each day, a Nine Eleven.
The deadliest day for Americans.
Each widow, once, a wife;
Each widower, a husband;
Each body, once, a life.
The deadliest day for Americans.
Criss-crossing every state.
The virus, in our households.
The virus, at the gate.
The deadliest day for Americans,
And some complain of rights?
“Not fair!” this quarantining!
“Not fair!” these lonesome nights!
The deadliest day for Americans,
And some bemoan the past?
“Not fair!” these masks, this distance!
Yet none fly flags half-mast.
The deadliest day we’ve ever seen:
Congratulate yourselves!
What we’ve achieved has never been!
This trophy’s on our shelves!
We hem, and haw, and twirl our thumbs:
Inaction seems bizarre,
On the deadliest day for Americans.
The deadliest day…so far.
Copyright 2020 Andrea LeDew
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Comments & Compliments
I like this one Andrea. Two images are interesting that you included a 911 everyday and the fact that we don’t have flags at half-mast even though we are losing so many great Americans. I am extremely blessed to have my father out of the hospital after a week’s stay and a severe case of covid-19 and double pneumonia. We won’t know what the final implications of this are on his nerves and strength as he recuperates at home. God gave us some more time with hi3m and I am grateful.
So glad to hear about your father’s progress. May he fully recover and bless you with his presence for some time to come.
The 9/11 everyday was also stolen directly from the short report by Jon Lemire. What’s weird for our generation is that the worst carnage we’ve ever experienced–9/11–pales in comparison to the toll this pandemic. We cannot comprehend the scale of the damage.
Be well Sabrina and thanks so much for coming by!
I despair . . .
These times are not for the faint of heart. But if they conquered polio, surely COVID’s days are numbered! Chin up!😊
I’ll try. 🙂