Look what’s at your own front door

Or in our case, a dozen feet up
or down from it.

Did you smell the dumplings cooking,
or did I smell the orchids
through the floorboards?

Even with a mask to cover your dimple,
I saw your eyes smile at me
like sweet pink candy.

Following my nose, I found
juniper and peppermint.
The masks came off.
So now that we’ve assimilated
our germ pools and started calling
each other names, let’s dance.

I want to dance with you while
we watch the world begin to heal.
And even more-so,
I want to work with you
as part of the solution.


Like perilous red boulders above
that hold each other balanced in place,
let’s support each other.
Like the warm sun coming through thin air,
and like clean water for thirsting roots,
let’s nourish each other.
Let’s help each other grow.

We’re in the dark,
and we’re up against darkness,
but let’s not let the darkness creep in
and make us cold.

Luckily,
	we’ve got a cuddle for that.