Gifts sparkle, shake, and rattle.

They have ribbons and colorful

wrappings. Then when opened,

a surprise that makes us happy.

 

COVID-19 is a surprise.

It is round with flower-like

petals and triangular protrusions

Though it doesn’t make us happy.

 

I remember the polio vaccine,

and the long line we waited

in that trailed outside Finch

grade school and down

 

the block. We drank tiny vials

filled with serum to keep us

well. Now the surprise is the

number of new COVID cases.

 

The season won’t be over

until the vials arrive, delicate

glass with a potent fluid made

especial to foil the surprise.