On looking slightly back at a day of visitation with two princesses who mean all the world to me and reflection on the current events of our times.

Pandemic Confronted
by Michael Doyle

What a day to roundly irrational
In those moments feeling somewhat confessional
But here on the very day of Pi
I had to look my eldest in her eye

Choking on my reply that I am one at risk
Said what a hug smiled but somehow brisk
This sarcoidosis that's tried to kill me
May very well yet bring an end to me

As this Covoid-19 hits numbers epidemic
And the fear mongers insist it's pandemic
I know that all of my bravado is of no recompense
If it brings to me my worse consequence

I told her with all the warmth of my embrace
Smiling my love into her loving young face
That the Devil himself is afraid of me
And that God doesn't know quite what to do with me

I laughed away any trace of misguided fear
As I hid deep inside my indwelling tear
Telling her that keeping calm is the right answer
Diplomatic as ever, the wordplay dancer

Celebrating an early Saint Patrick's Day
Showering both my young angels with love along the way
Wanting our first meal in a long time together
To be the thing serving their memories so much better

Part of how they might spend the last day
Knowing their imperfect father and his ways
Until hugging them the day's end goodbye
I'll see you soon Dad, they said, I choked on my reply

Keeping my tears deep within my heart
Instead joking as I watched them depart
Sent off with another bad joke of my telling
But the loneliness after was soul revealing

(c) March 15, 2020  Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved