The president has the Coronavirus.
The man who denounced mask wearing.
Who scoffed at social distancing.
Who equated wearing a mask with weakness,
or worse, being a Democrat.
The man who just the night before, at a rally,
already showing symptoms,
said the virus is rounding the corner and will be gone soon.
The man who disagreed with his own health experts.
The man who encouraged others to deny the science.
The man who claimed the Coronavirus was a hoax.
Compassion does not celebrate but the irony is not lost.
Some people have to touch a hot stove to learn.
Some people never learn.
I watch all day the thing I’d sworn off, TV news.
In the morning, they say “he has no symptoms.”
By noon “he has mild symptoms.”
During the day he received an antiviral cocktail.
By dinner, he’s boarding a helicopter for Walter Reed Hospital.
Everyone wearing masks, including President Trump.
The man who travels in superlatives everywhere he goes,
“The Best, Most Amazing, Most Perfect, No One Better,”
released a short video as the helicopter flies off.
He says “I think I’m doing very well.”
As the evening progresses more dominoes fall.
Several around the president test positive.
Many of them his surrogates.
Many who dealt in half truths, lies, and conspiracy theories.
Casting doubt, calling everyone else “fake news.”
Surrogates that helped him divide our country.
Even in something as simple as mask wearing.
Surrogates who support his “It is what it is” statement.
Referring to over 200,000 Americans killed by the virus.
Surrogates who will cross any line in support of him.
Compassion does not celebrate but the irony is not lost.
I wake up in the middle of the night afraid to look at the news, afraid for our country.
Tears betray my eyes for all the chaos and sadness of the last four years.
For all the damaged institutions and threats to our democracy.
For the dog whistles and fires of racism stoked daily.
But mostly, I cry for the families divided and friendships splintered.
Compassion does not celebrate but the irony is not lost. There are no winners here.
© 2020 Caren Albers
From Upcoming Book HOMECOMING
carenalbers.com
