nope, Elon

despite Elon Musk’s assertion,

empathy is not a disease

that is debilitating our nation

caring for one another is essential

to life unless one is arrogant enough

to believe anyone is greater

than lightning, flood, earthquake,

fire, virus, stroke, myocardial infarction

and working for each other’s wellbeing

merits satisfaction that amassing

any amount of goods does not comprehend

producing make-believe

eyes blurring, it is time to stop

editing between a somewhat final

version by the publisher

the sensitivity reader’s suggestions

and my earlier proofing

but it is dawning on me

that we may be on the last lap

producing Exhalation

plagued again and again by illness

editor after editor experiencing

delays due to sickness in this real world

far more important than the production

date of my world of make-believe

virus vs me

tiny virus topples huge habitation

me

virus which is not fully a live being

wins

by taking over the functions of my cells

conquering

cell-by-cell in transmuting sneak attacks

until

i feel so crummy i leave the field and go to

bed