New York. Interrupted

This is my tale. It is my home
The good old Brooklyn. I’m alone
New York’s my town, bad and great
In troubled times of ‘shuttered gate’

I’m one of millions, lonely voice
Alas, don’t have a lot of choice
To stay inside and browse the sites
To share the stories and the frights

Life still goes on behind doors.
Cars are unmoved. Not many stores
Stay open. Cut hair, buy a pair of jeans?
"Can't do" in Brooklyn, Bronx or Queens

This hidden life remains fraught
Some work remotely, many not.
Policemen, firemen, EMS
Remain under awful stress

The wailing sirens now and then
An early bed, around ten
Stern TV anchors with bad news
I shut them off. I’d rather schmooze

Take stock of friends, alive or dead
Through cautious calls and emails read
Hope spring eternal? Not so fast
To many it will be their last

Playgrounds are closed. Yet it means
The school goes on, on laptop screens
Big Apple runs its empty trains
By no means dead. The pulse remains

No mask or gloves. What’s wrong with you
Do you ignore the deadly flu?
Hey, bud, from me, for what its worth
Cold stare and a wider berth

The fear is on, and danger lurks
Reflected off cashiers and clerks
The crime’s down. They cannot steal
When we stay home, it’s so unreal

Like autumn leaves in city parks
Discarded gloves, the sidewalk marks
Sign of the times, as trash and art
Be safe out there and be smart

New Yorkers do a lot of good
Donate the money and the food
Food pantries for the ones in need
To help thy neighbors, yes indeed

On hold are plans to play and see
And also shop, drive, travel free
But not to love and dream and jive
To teach, to cook, fight and survive

My spirit’s high. The cash is low
The life’s for living, apropos
The grass is green, the flowers bloom
I’m waiting for the end of doom

To footnotes goes the disease
That brought the city to its knees
We will be back, a tour de force
Restarting fully in due course

New York has torch lit in the bay
It’s seen from far and far away
The world is watching, with a frown
And wishes well this little town

April 10, 2020
New York, USA
© 2020 by Edward Kritsky