I’ve been to the country of Quarantine
Everybody hides behind a mask
Stores often run out of essential things
Paper products just don’t last
Restaurants and coffee shops
are half empty – if they are open at all
People have a hand-washing compulsion
Folks don’t go to the mall
No one greets each other
with hugs or handshakes
X on the floor to stand six feet apart,
an invisible radius, their personal space
There is no theater – but lots of drama
No concerts – but lots of blues
No public playgrounds,
no picnic tables, or swimming pools
No one is admitted inside the library
I like to read – but I like to browse
People don’t visit like they used to
at each other’s house
Men don’t shave, women don’t either
— and they don’t wear bras
People bicycle more
instead of driving their cars
There is no rush hour;
fewer wrecks because traffic is light
Nightclubs are closed,
no more bar fights
Tele-conference and Zoom
are the way businessmen meet
Virtual happy hour, karaoke at home,
people don’t go out to eat
Cheering sports fans
don’t fill the stadium
People walk more,
they don’t visit the gym
Bands perform on the internet
or pay-per-view only
Folks don’t congregate at church
People get lonely
Water fountains are closed
People don’t get haircuts
There are fewer blonds
Everyone goes barefoot
Children are educated on computers
No one goes to class
I’ve been to the land of Quarantine
I can’t wait for this vacation to pass
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Photo: IStock